NCDMB Trains 305 Youths in Advanced Oil & Gas Skills at Rivers State University
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is actively investing in Nigeria’s future workforce, as 305 youths undergo specialised technical training in oil and gas industry skills at the Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD), located at Rivers State University (RSU).
On Tuesday, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, visited the ongoing program to assess progress and encourage participants. The four-month training initiative is part of the Board’s Human Capacity Development programme, aimed at closing indigenous competency gaps and empowering young Nigerians for careers in the oil and gas sector and beyond.
📚 Seven Cutting-Edge Technical Training Tracks
Sponsored entirely by the NCDMB, the programme covers seven specialised technical areas, including:
- Automation, Instrumentation & Control
- Mechanical/Process Piping & System Design
- Pressure Vessel and Heat Exchanger Design (PV-ELITE)
- Electrical Power Transformer Repairs & Maintenance
- Industrial/Practical Ship Design & Construction
- Oil Well Surveillance & Enhancement Analysis
- Big Data Analytics
- International-Class Welding, Fabrication & Qualification
Participants were selected through the Nigerian Oil and Gas Joint Qualification System (NOGICJQS)—the national database for certified manpower and technical expertise.
🎤 NCDMB’s Commitment to Youth Empowerment
Addressing the trainees, Engr. Ogbe encouraged them to seize the opportunity with seriousness and discipline, emphasizing the global demand for the skills they are acquiring.
“These competencies are in high demand across the oil and gas industry,” he said.
“We will continue to train and empower Nigerians to strengthen local content and create employment, in line with President Tinubu’s economic agenda.”
🏗️ Infrastructure Boost for Marine Engineering Excellence
During his visit, the NCDMB boss also toured the Advanced Marine and Offshore Engineering Research Centre, built by an international oil company on RSU’s campus as part of Nigeria’s content development strategy.
Engr. Ogbe promised to ensure that the building’s furnishing and partitioning would be completed swiftly, making the facility fully operational. He also pledged to address delays in completing the staff quarters donated by the Board.
👨🏫 Industry-Academia Collaboration
The NCDMB team was received by RSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, alongside senior university officials and Dr. Sylvanus Eferebo, Chairman of the Centre’s Management Board and National Chair of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA).
Dr. Eferebo shared that RSU is recognized by COREN as a centre of excellence for marine engineering, housing three distinct marine study centres. He highlighted the unique model of CMOTD, where:
- 70% of trainers come from the oil and gas and industrial sectors
- 30% are drawn from the university’s academic staff
“This ensures our programs meet industry demands and align with COREN’s guidelines,” Dr. Eferebo explained.
“It also guarantees that industry professionals play a key role in shaping Nigeria’s next generation of engineers.”
🌟 Final Thoughts
This initiative represents a powerful example of skills-based investment in Nigeria’s youth, aligning education with real-world industry needs. With continued support from institutions like NCDMB and collaboration between academia and the private sector, Nigeria’s engineering and energy workforce is being reshaped for global relevance
