A group of 29 young Nigerians recently completed a year-long training program aimed at developing specialized skills essential for the country’s growing oil and gas sector. Organized by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in collaboration with Waltersmith Group Limited, a leading integrated energy company, the program was designed to address gaps in local expertise, especially in areas outlined by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
The training, which was part of a broader Nigerian Content Non-Compliance remediation initiative, covered an array of technical and non-technical subjects. Participants were trained in high-demand areas such as Project Management, Scrum Master certifications, ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, Mechanical Engineering Design, Welding and Fabrication, Mobile Crane Operation, and Plumbing and Pipe Fitting. The curriculum also included essential general skills like Entrepreneurship, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Digital Skills, Nigerian Content Awareness, Health and Safety, and an introduction to Oil and Gas Engineering Materials.
At the program’s closing ceremony, the graduates showcased their practical skills by presenting a range of innovative devices they had created, such as pipe rollers, pipe vices, bell rollers, pressure vessels, and even phone charger heads. Their work served as a testament to the knowledge and hands-on experience they had gained throughout the program.
In his address, NCDMB's Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu, represented by the Manager of Monitoring and Evaluation, Engr. Kopiam Adike, emphasized the strategic importance of such training in fostering local content and value addition within Nigeria. He reflected on the pre-NOGICD Act era when Nigeria’s oil and gas industry was heavily dependent on foreign expertise and the country saw significant capital flight. Mr. Halilu applauded Dexterous Applied Training Institute, the indigenous training provider, for helping bridge the skill gap and for its role in empowering Nigerian professionals in the sector.
Highlighting the success of previous NCDMB training initiatives, Mr. Halilu shared inspiring examples of alumni who are now making significant contributions both locally and internationally—such as a Nigerian expert in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) currently working in Angola, and others supporting offshore operations in Nigeria.
While congratulating the graduates, Mrs. Sarah Ajuonuma, Lead Advisor at Waltersmith Group, expressed her organization’s pride in contributing to the development of Nigeria’s local content capabilities. She acknowledged the trainees' hard work and enthusiasm, with Waltersmith Management optimistic about their future careers in the energy sector.
Dexterous Applied Training Institute also praised the trainees for their dedication. Training Manager Engr. Dumam Abila encouraged the graduates to maintain a high standard of quality in their work and urged female participants to excel in the traditionally male-dominated engineering field.
In addition, NCDMB Manager Mr. Mohammed Ahmed advised the graduates to continuously expand their knowledge and refine their skills in order to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving oil and gas industry.
The graduates expressed their gratitude to the NCDMB and Waltersmith Group for the invaluable opportunity to acquire advanced skills, pledging to uphold the standards set by the program and to make meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s local content agenda in the future.
