Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, OGTAN President, Mr. Christopher Osasu Osarumwense, said the conference would bring together industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, operators, training institutions, academia, service providers and young professionals to chart a sustainable path for workforce development in the sector.

The conference, themed “Empowering People, Driving Performance, Shaping the Future of the Oil and Gas Industry,” will hold from August 25 to 27, 2026, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Warri, Delta State.

Osarumwense said human capital development had become imperative for the future of the industry, stressing that the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability would increasingly depend on the quality, competence, innovation and adaptability of its workforce.

“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,” he said.

He noted that OGTAN, the umbrella body established under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development framework and supported by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), remained committed to advancing training and human capacity development in the sector.

According to him, the three-day conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to engage in strategic discussions on workforce development, leadership, talent retention, digital transformation and the future of work in the energy industry.

Participants will also have access to a Trainers’ Fair and technology showcase featuring emerging learning solutions, artificial intelligence applications, virtual and augmented reality simulators, competency management systems and other innovations shaping workforce development globally.

Osarumwense disclosed that youth engagement would be a major component of the conference through programmes aimed at inspiring and preparing the next generation of industry professionals. The event, he added, will feature networking opportunities, innovation challenges, career sessions and interactions with industry leaders designed to nurture future talent.

He further announced that a Human Capacity Development Excellence Awards Dinner would be held to recognise individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to workforce development, operational excellence and local content growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Responding to questions from journalists, Osarumwense underscored the need for the industry to proactively prepare its workforce for emerging technologies, noting that artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, automation and other digital innovations are transforming business operations across the global energy sector.

He said industry players must equip both current professionals and future generations with the skills required to remain relevant and competitive in an increasingly technology-driven environment, stressing that continuous learning and capacity development would be critical to meeting future workplace demands.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, said the conference would provide a platform for regulators, operators, trainers, investors and academia to collaborate on solutions that would shape the future of workforce development in the industry.

Ogbue said the event would feature plenary sessions on workforce development and policy alignment, alongside a Trainers’ Fair and exhibition showcasing emerging training technologies and innovations.

She highlighted the OGTAN Young Professionals Innovation Challenge and Boot Camp as key initiatives aimed at encouraging youth participation and preparing young Nigerians for opportunities in the energy sector.

“This conference is not an event. It is a movement. When you bring regulators, academia, investors, operators and trainers into one room, with one purpose, you do not simply hold meetings, you build a future,” she said.

She called on sponsors, exhibitors, delegates and other stakeholders to participate actively in the conference, describing it as a unique opportunity to contribute to building a globally competitive Nigerian oil and gas workforce.

Also present at the briefing were OGTAN Vice President, Engr. Steve Osuoha; Abuja Zonal Chairman, Mr. Joe Oduah; and representatives of member companies.