The Federal Government, has urged the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, to lead efforts in developing skilled manpower to drive Nigeria’s oil and gas reforms and prepare for the global shift toward cleaner energy.
According to a report by The Punch on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nicholas Ella, gave the charge on Wednesday at the opening of the 2025 International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology organised by PTI. He represented the Ministers of State for Petroleum (Oil and Gas), Heineken Lokpobiri and Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Speaking on the theme “Transforming Africa’s Hydrocarbon Sector: Balancing Growth, Environment and Governance,” Ella said Nigeria must not lag behind in gas valorisation, hydrogen development, and carbon capture. He urged PTI to strengthen its curricula and workshops to align with global standards and emerging technologies.
He highlighted three key priorities for the sector up-skilling for energy transition, bridging domestic skills gaps, and promoting research and technology transfer. Ella noted that despite reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), challenges such as under-utilised refineries and weak technology transfer persist.
According to him, oil production has risen to between 1.7 and 1.83 million barrels per day, with active drilling rigs increasing from 31 to 50 within seven months of 2025, progress he attributed to ongoing reforms.
Ella urged PTI to align its training with national goals, including ensuring that 70 percent of graduates secure jobs or start businesses within three years, expanding digital learning, and strengthening industry partnerships. He also called for the inclusion of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in training programmes.
In his remarks, PTI Principal and Chief Executive, Dr. Samuel Onoji, said Africa’s hydrocarbon sector remains vital to economic growth despite challenges such as low investment and energy poverty.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sustaining oil production through peace-building and community engagement.
Receiving an Award of Excellence from PTI, the governor said his administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda was designed to link resource exploitation with community development, adding that Delta was deepening collaboration with PTI and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to boost local participation in the oil and gas industry.
SOURCE: NewsRound
