NCDMB, Renaissance Train 60 Nigerians in Critical Oil and Gas Technical Skills
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, has launched a 12-month technical training programme for 60 young Nigerians to bridge critical skills gaps and strengthen indigenous capacity in the oil and gas industry.
The development was announced in a press release issued by the NCDMB on October 11, 2026, and signed by its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Dr Obinna Ezeobi. The programme was officially launched at Nigeria Machine Tools Limited in Osogbo, Osun State.
The initiative, under the Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development (NC HCD) Training Programme for Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited’s EPU Phase 2 Gas Development Project, is designed to equip participants with specialised technical knowledge and practical experience required across the oil and gas value chain.
The 60 beneficiaries comprise 33 graduates and 27 vocational trainees who will receive training in engineering design, fitter machining, conventional machine tool operations, programming, computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), electrical and mechanical maintenance, and document control.
The programme combines six months of intensive classroom instruction with six months of supervised on-the-job training in reputable companies. Successful participants are expected to obtain internationally recognised certifications upon completion.
Speaking at the launch, NCDMB Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, represented by Tare Bufazi, Assistant Manager, Human Capacity Development, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to address manpower shortages and prepare Nigerians for greater participation in the industry.
“The importance of this programme cannot be overstated,” Bamidele said, noting that the training was tailored to meet the technical demands of the oil and gas sector.
He stressed that the Board’s mandate extended beyond promoting local participation to developing the technical expertise needed to sustain the industry, create employment opportunities and advance the Federal Government’s industrialisation agenda.
Bamidele urged the trainees to demonstrate discipline and commitment, emphasising that the programme offered more than certificates by providing practical competence and professional experience for long-term careers.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Seflam SGL and Nigeria Machine Tools Limited to the successful implementation of the initiative.
Speaking on behalf of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Richard Oyiborhor, Interface and Integration Manager for the NLNG Supply Project, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to nurturing Nigerian talent and strengthening local capabilities.
Oyiborhor commended NCDMB’s efforts to advance Nigerian content, describing the collaboration with Seflam SGL and Nigeria Machine Tools as an important step towards developing the country’s industrial workforce.
Similarly, Bisola Agboluaje, Senior Manager, Business Interface at Seflam SGL, congratulated the beneficiaries and disclosed that the programme originated in 2024, when NCDMB approved the training plans. She described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in Nigeria’s technical talent pool.
The Chief Operating Officer of Nigeria Machine Tools Limited, Obehi Ojeagha, welcomed the trainees and highlighted the institution’s 46-year contribution to Nigeria’s industrial development. She expressed confidence that the participants would acquire the skills, discipline and practical experience needed to contribute meaningfully to the oil and gas industry.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen local content development by equipping Nigerians with specialised technical skills, improving workforce readiness and expanding opportunities for indigenous participation in the energy sector.
