Group seeks to retain $240m oil sector training spend in Nigeria

The Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria has intensified efforts to boost local participation in the oil and gas industry’s training market, revealing that operators spend about $240m annually on training programmes conducted outside the country.

The association said it is working to ensure that a larger share of this expenditure is retained within Nigeria by strengthening indigenous training institutions and improving their capacity to meet industry standards.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at a press briefing ahead of the 2026 OGTAN Human Capacity Development Conference and Trainers’ Fair, the President of OGTAN, Christopher Osarumwense, said the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry depends on the quality of its human capital rather than its natural resources.

He said, “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.”

Osarumwense said the conference, scheduled for August 25 to 27, 2026, at the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State, would bring together regulators, operators, training institutions, policymakers and young professionals under the theme “Empowering People. Driving Performance. Shaping the Future of the Oil and Gas Industry.”

According to him, the event will also serve as a platform to showcase indigenous training capacity and emerging technologies in workforce development.

Vice-President of OGTAN, Steve Osuoha, said despite growing local capacity, many companies still send professionals abroad for training, leading to significant capital flight.

“Today, if you look across the industry, Nigerian companies remit over $240m abroad annually for training programmes.

“Part of the reason for organising this conference is for stakeholders to know one another better, understand the capacities that exist within the country and recognise opportunities for collaboration. We believe there is room for more of this investment to be retained in Nigeria as local institutions continue to develop their capabilities,” he stated.

Osuoha said the association believes more of such investments can be retained locally as Nigerian institutions continue to expand their capabilities.

He added that workforce development would play a critical role in improving efficiency and boosting oil production, alongside technology adoption and improved security.

Osarumwense noted that challenges such as pipeline vandalism and insecurity continue to drive up production costs, stressing that technology and artificial intelligence could help improve efficiency in the sector.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Funmi Ogbue, described the conference as a strategic platform for shaping the future of workforce development in the oil and gas industry.

She said OGTAN, recognised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, remains committed to building a globally competitive Nigerian workforce.