By Ese Ufuoma
Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is undergoing a quiet but meaningful transformation. As companies revive investments and regulators push for fresh capacity development, a new strand of ambition has emerged: blending traditional oil work with digital smarts, combining pipelines and pumpjacks with algorithms, data dashboards and cloud analytics.
According to the NCDMB, its newly launched Digitisation Initiative will train thousands of Nigerians in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, cloud computing and software development, all tailored for oil and gas industry applications. The aim is to close skill gaps, reduce dependence on expatriate labour, and build a new generation of local oil-tech professionals.
Meanwhile, training groups like Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) say the time for digital-first thinking is now, arguing that AI, immersive training and data-driven learning are not futuristic ideals, but present-day necessities for competitiveness.
Also, some firms and service providers have begun cybersecurity and data-security training for oil-sector professionals, particularly in areas like the Niger Delta, signalling awareness that digitalisation without security is risky.
For many in the industry, the appeal is practical. Older infrastructure, unpredictable downtime and costly repairs make predictive-maintenance tools attractive. AI and data analytics, if implemented well, can warn of pump failures, flag corrosion, optimise logistics or forecast parts needs. A recent academic survey found that firms adopting AI report improved operational efficiency, lower costs and better safety outcomes, though experts warn full adoption remains limited by gaps in data quality, infrastructure and skilled personnel.
But this is not a magic wand. Many oil and gas facilities in Nigeria still lack reliable telemetry, consistent power supply, or real-time data capture to feed AI systems. Smaller companies may not have the internal capacity or capital to implement and maintain digital systems.
Still, the human-impact side of the story matters. For a young Nigerian graduate with an aptitude in computer science or data analytics, the oil sector’s focus on a hybrid “oil-tech” model could open high-value career paths far beyond traditional on-site labour roles. For Nigeria, building this pool of talent might be crucial if the next wave of upstream and gas investments is to succeed.
Overall, Nigeria’s oil industry is not just extracting hydrocarbons; it is also striving to develop digital talent. Whether that transforms into a significant “oil-tech” movement depends less on pipeline deals and more on classrooms, coding, mentorship, and data skills. It won’t be an easy change. However, if it succeeds, the next generation of oil workers might weld, monitor, code, and maintain often simultaneously.