Human capital development critical to sustaining competitiveness of Nigeria’s petroleum sector – OGTAN  

The Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) has emphasised the critical role of human capital development in driving a competitive and sustained future for Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

Chris Osarumwense, president of OGTAN, who addressed a press conference in Abuja ahead of the 2026 Human Capacity Development (HCD) Conference and Trainers’ Fair, stated that as Nigeria seeks to maximise the benefits of its energy resources while navigating an increasingly dynamic global environment, investment in people must remain at the centre of our growth strategy.

He explained that a highly skilled workforce is essential to improving productivity, enhancing operational efficiency, increasing local participation, fostering innovation, and sustaining competitiveness.

“The oil and gas industry remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy. However, the future competitiveness and sustainability of our industry will be determined not merely by the resources beneath our soil, but by the quality, competence, innovation, and adaptability of our people.

“As the global energy landscape continues to evolve, the demand for skilled professionals capable of leveraging technology, driving operational excellence, and delivering sustainable value has never been greater.

“Human capacity remains one of the biggest issues in the industry today. There is still a disconnect between what is taught in Nigerian universities and what the industry actually needs. In many cases, companies spend between 12 and 18 months retraining graduates before they become industry-ready,” he said.

Osarumwense explained that OGTAN was working to bridge the gap by strengthening collaboration between academia, training institutions and industry players to ensure that graduates are better aligned with workplace expectations.

He noted that the transition from international oil companies (IOCs) to indigenous operators has further heightened the urgency of building local capacity.

Despite the shift, he commended indigenous oil companies for sustaining and, in some cases, increasing production levels after taking over assets from IOCs, describing the achievement as encouraging but requiring sustained investment in human capital.

Osarumwense identified security challenges, pipeline vandalism, and inefficient transportation systems as key drivers. He noted that reliance on alternative logistics, such as trucking instead of pipelines, significantly increases operational costs and reduces efficiency.

He, however, stressed that improved workforce competence, combined with better security and infrastructure, would help reduce production costs over time.

The OGTAN president also highlighted the growing impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and cybersecurity on the industry, noting that these innovations are reshaping required skill sets.

In her remark, Funmi Ogbue, chairman of the Planning Committee, said the conference, themed ‘Empowering People. Driving Performance. Shaping the Future of the Oil and Gas Industry’, will convene regulators, operators, academia, and training providers to address workforce challenges and align training with global standards.

According to her, the conference is aimed to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas workforce. “We want to align how we train with the highest global standards. And we want to make certain that our industry remains competitive, innovative, and sustainable for the decades ahead.”