By Els WIlliam
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and Tomba Resources Nigeria Limited (TRNL), has commenced a specialised training programme designed to strengthen indigenous technical capacity in automated crude oil storage tank upgrade and repair services, as part of ongoing efforts to deepen Nigerian content in the nation’s petroleum industry.
The training, which began on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is being implemented under the Board’s Nigerian Content Human Capacity Development (NC-HCD) initiative and targets the development of highly skilled Nigerian professionals capable of delivering specialised services that have traditionally relied on foreign expertise.
The programme focuses on the provision, upgrade and repair of automated crude oil storage tank systems—critical infrastructure for the safe storage, measurement and management of crude oil across upstream and midstream petroleum operations.
According to the NCDMB, the initiative forms part of its broader strategy to equip Nigerians with specialised technical competencies that will increase indigenous participation in high-value segments of the oil and gas value chain while reducing dependence on expatriate skills.
Representatives of Chevron Nigeria Limited and Tomba Resources Nigeria Limited reaffirmed their commitment to human capital development through sustained collaboration with the Board, stressing that investments in specialised manpower remain essential to achieving the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
They noted that the partnership would help strengthen local expertise, expand employment opportunities for Nigerian professionals and ensure that more technical services are executed by competent indigenous personnel.
The NOGICD Act, enacted in 2010, established the NCDMB to promote the utilisation of Nigerian human and material resources in the petroleum industry through deliberate policies aimed at increasing local participation, technology transfer and industrial development.
Over the years, the Board has implemented numerous capacity-building programmes covering engineering, welding, fabrication, marine operations, information technology, project management, manufacturing, gas processing, renewable energy and other specialised disciplines, with the objective of creating a globally competitive Nigerian workforce.
The Port Harcourt programme commenced with a technical overview outlining the scope of the training and the competencies participants are expected to acquire during the exercise.
Participants also engaged in an interactive session with facilitators and industry experts, providing an opportunity to discuss operational challenges, emerging technologies and best practices in the maintenance and upgrading of automated crude oil storage systems.
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the signing of the NCDMB Code of Conduct by participants, reinforcing the Board’s emphasis on professionalism, integrity, accountability and ethical conduct in the execution of technical assignments within the oil and gas industry.
The organisers said adherence to these values is essential for maintaining international standards, promoting operational excellence and building confidence in the capabilities of Nigerian service providers.
Declaring the programme open, officials described the training as another strategic investment in human capital development and a key component of the Board’s long-term vision of transforming Nigerian content from a compliance obligation into a platform for industrial growth and economic competitiveness.
Industry analysts observe that as oil and gas operations become increasingly automated and technology-driven, the demand for specialised skills in instrumentation, automation, digital monitoring and infrastructure maintenance continues to grow. Building local expertise in these areas, they argue, will not only improve operational efficiency but also retain more value within the Nigerian economy.
The collaboration between NCDMB, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Tomba Resources Nigeria Limited is expected to contribute to the development of a pool of highly trained Nigerian professionals capable of supporting critical petroleum infrastructure, while advancing the Federal Government’s broader objective of enhancing local capacity, technology transfer and sustainable growth across the country’s energy sector.