By Els William
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has joined Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) in celebrating the graduation of 122 young Nigerians who successfully completed the Train 7 Advanced Human Capacity Development training programme in Bonny, Rivers State.
The initiative, part of the ongoing Train 7 Project, offered participants rigorous, hands-on training in plant maintenance, spanning instrumentation, electrical, mechanical, lifting and rigging, fabrication, as well as preventive and corrective maintenance. Trainees also gained rare, first-hand exposure to live LNG plant operations, an opportunity many professionals only aspire to. Remarkably, the programme recorded zero lost time incidents, underscoring its high safety standards.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe (FNSE, FIPS), the General Manager of Human Capital Development, Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile Esq., commended NLNG and its partners for their continued investment in building Nigerian talent.
He praised the graduates for their resilience and determination, noting that the training was not just about acquiring technical know-how but about positioning Nigeria for greater competitiveness on the global energy stage.
“This initiative not only equips young professionals with advanced technical skills but also strengthens Nigeria’s capacity to retain value locally and compete globally in the oil and gas industry,” Kikile said.
The Train 7 Project, described as one of Africa’s largest gas infrastructure developments, has continued to deliver on its promise of jobs and capacity building, while advancing NCDMB’s Human Capital Development Guideline. The guideline requires that major oil and gas projects deliberately invest in training and empowering Nigerians to ensure long-term sustainability and in-country value retention.
Engr. Ogbe, through his representative, reaffirmed NCDMB’s commitment to similar human capital development initiatives that boost skills, create opportunities, and drive sustainable economic growth.
The NCDMB delegation at the graduation ceremony was led by Mr. Kikile, alongside Mr. Bufazi Tareowei, Deputy Manager, Human Capital Development; Ms. Ophelia Jackson, Media Officer, Corporate Communications; Mr. Blankson Tomboizibe, and other officers of the Board.
With this milestone, NCDMB and NLNG have once again demonstrated the transformative impact of public-private collaboration in equipping the next generation of Nigerian professionals with the skills required to drive the oil and gas sector into the future.