Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Sector Must Strengthen Skills and Capacity To Compete Globally — Experts
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Industry experts have called for urgent investment in skill development, innovation, and technology adoption to position Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for competitiveness in the fast-evolving global energy landscape.
Speaking at the 4th OGTAN Lagos Zone Dinner and Award Ceremony, the Chairman of the Lagos Zone of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), Dr. Daniel Thomas, emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced digital tools will play a critical role in reshaping Nigeria’s energy training sector.
According to him, the global energy environment is undergoing rapid transformation, requiring Nigeria to strengthen the skills and capabilities of its workforce to ensure sustainability and relevance. His presentation was titled “Reshaping the Future of the Energy Training Sector in Nigeria Through Innovation and Artificial Intelligence.”
He stated: “Artificial intelligence, digitisation, immersive learning technologies, data-driven competency development and smart training ecosystems are no longer futuristic concepts — they are here, redefining how we learn, how we teach, and how we prepare today’s workforce for tomorrow’s energy realities. As a zone, we are committed to leading this change.”
Thomas also appreciated the sponsors and partners who contributed to the success of the event, noting their ongoing support in shaping the future of energy training in Nigeria.
“Future-Ready Workforce Is Critical” — OGTAN President
The OGTAN President, Mr. Christopher Osarumwense, represented by the National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Funmi Ogbe, said the event reflects their collective commitment to building a skilled and resilient workforce for Nigeria’s vital energy industry.
He noted that as global energy dynamics evolve, Nigeria must invest in equipping its workforce with the skills and technologies needed for future growth.
“Tonight’s gathering is more than an award ceremony; it is a shared commitment to raising the bar for excellence, accelerating digital transformation, and driving sustainable growth across the energy training sector,” he said.
Energy Transition: “Nigeria Has a Golden Opportunity” — Prof. Lere Baale
Chief Executive Officer, Business School Netherlands Nigeria, Prof. Lere Baale, highlighted that the world is undergoing a historic shift from a hydrocarbon-driven energy system to a diversified, technology-powered one led by renewables, digital intelligence, and data.
He stressed that this shift presents a significant opportunity for Nigeria to transition from a raw resource exporter to a knowledge-driven global energy hub.
“The future of Nigeria’s energy sector will not be written in barrels — it will be written in bytes and brains,” he said. “Our success depends on the quality of our talent, the relevance of our learning and development systems, and the agility of our learning structures.”
He added that embracing AI and innovation will help secure Nigeria’s place in the evolving energy market while positioning the nation to lead Africa’s sustainable energy transformation.
NCDMB Reiterates Commitment to Local Capacity Development
The Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Silas Omomehin Ajimijaye, General Manager, Monitoring & Evaluation at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), outlined the agency’s achievements in strengthening indigenous capacity and its long-standing support for OGTAN’s initiatives.
Ajimijaye reaffirmed NCDMB’s mission to ensure that Nigerian companies and professionals play an increasingly active role in the nation’s oil and gas value chain.
Awards and Recognitions
One of the awardees, Mr. Sunny Ojieh, Local Content Director (Geozone Sub-Saharan Africa) at Baker Hughes, expressed gratitude to the organizers, saying the recognition would further motivate efforts toward developing local talent.
The immediate past OGTAN Lagos Zone Chairman, Dr. Mayowa Afe, praised the new executives for successfully hosting the ceremony and assured them of continuous support.
