By Our Correspondent

Petroleum Resources (Gas), Minister of state Ekperikpe Ekpo, has declared that the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry will depend increasingly on the quality, competence and ingenuity of its workforce rather than solely on the country’s abundant petroleum resources.

Ekpo stated this in a keynote address delivered by Geo. Ogidikpe Ayauge on his behalf on Friday, the third and final day of the three-day Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) Human Capacity Development Conference 2026 at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State.

The conference, themed “Empowering People. Driving Performance. Shaping the Future of Oil & Gas,” focused on the role of human capital development in strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector amid technological and industrial changes.

The minister said the development of competent personnel must remain central to the Federal Government’s efforts to expand gas utilisation, improve energy security, attract investment and create jobs under the Decade of Gas initiative.

He said expanding gas processing facilities, pipelines, LNG projects, CNG infrastructure, LPG distribution networks and other gas-based industries would require people capable of designing, financing, constructing, operating and maintaining the assets.

He added that training should be viewed as a strategic investment in productivity, safety, innovation and competitiveness, rather than merely as a compliance requirement.

According to him, the industry must move from “training for training’s sake to training for performance and measurable impact”, with capacity development aligned with current and emerging industry requirements.

He identified artificial intelligence, digital technologies, data analytics, automation, cybersecurity, gas commercialisation, carbon and emissions management, project finance, contract negotiation, energy economics and strategic leadership among the skills increasingly required by the sector.

“The future of our energy industry will be determined not only by the resources beneath our soil, but by the quality, competence and ingenuity of our people,” Ekpo said.

The minister also called for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia, research institutions and professional training organisations to address skills gaps in the petroleum sector.

He acknowledged the contribution of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to indigenous participation, skills development, technology transfer and capacity building under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010.

Ekpo said the government would continue to promote industry-academia collaboration, modern technical and vocational education, professional certification, research and innovation, technology transfer, apprenticeship and graduate development programmes, as well as globally competitive centres of excellence.

He urged OGTAN to continue evolving as a strategic human-capital development partner capable of anticipating future skills requirements and preparing Nigerian professionals for opportunities in the changing energy industry.

“We must develop Nigerian professionals whose competence is respected and sought after anywhere in the world,” he said, adding that Nigeria should increasingly seek to export energy expertise, technology, innovation and professional services in addition to its energy resources.

In a goodwill message, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborewori, represented by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Peter Uviejitobor, said the state government had placed skills development and economic empowerment at the centre of its MORE Agenda.

Oborewori said the state had invested in technical colleges, vocational education, innovation hubs and entrepreneurship programmes to equip young people with relevant industrial competencies and improve their employability.

He said sustainable development of the petroleum industry required a competent and globally competitive workforce, particularly in view of technological advances, digitalisation, automation, artificial intelligence and cleaner energy solutions.

The governor urged industry operators, regulators, educational institutions, development partners and training organisations to strengthen collaboration, align curricula with emerging industrial needs, expand apprenticeship opportunities and promote technology transfer.

Also speaking at the conference, Engr. Prof. Omonigho B. Otanocha, in a keynote titled “The Future Workforce – Digitalisation and Decarbonisation: What the Next Decade of Nigerian Oil and Gas Demands of its People, Beyond the Technical,”said digitalisation and decarbonisation would require a workforce that was technologically empowered, adaptable, ethical and inclusive.

Otanocha advocated stronger mentorship, collaboration between higher institutions and industry, STEM outreaches, gender inclusivity, community engagement and strategic stakeholder management as part of efforts to prepare Nigerians for the future of the energy industry.

He also called for greater integration of artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, additive manufacturing, carbon management and renewable energy into workforce development, while stressing the importance of communication, collaboration, leadership, ethics and policy literacy.

“The oil and gas industry’s future will not be secured by machines alone. It will be secured by people – empowered, enlightened, and ethically driven,” Otanocha said.

The conference brought together stakeholders in government, industry, academia, training institutions and related professional bodies to deliberate on human capacity development and the changing skills requirements of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Monitoring Group (NIDDEMOG), Chief Nengi James-Eriworio, Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for recovering N83.59 billion and $98.07 million in outstanding statutory levies owed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by some oil companies.

The recovery relates to the three per cent statutory levy payable to the NDDC by oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.
According to an EFCC investigation report, an audit by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had identified N90.046 billion and $229.534 million in outstanding NDDC levies covering the period from 2015 to 2020.

Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Friday, Chief Nengi James described the recovery as a welcome development, saying oil companies operating in the region had failed to meet their statutory obligations to the NDDC.

He said it was unacceptable that companies expected to contribute to the development of the Niger Delta were withholding funds meant to support development projects in the region.

According to him, oil-producing communities have continued to bear the environmental and socioeconomic consequences of oil exploration and production, including pollution, degradation of farmlands and waterways, and the destruction of traditional means of livelihood.

The NIDDEMOG chief also commended the NDDC management, led by its Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, for pursuing the recovery of unremitted statutory funds owed the commission.

He equally praised the National Assembly for exercising its oversight powers in facilitating the recovery through the EFCC.

Chief Nengi James, however, urged the NDDC to ensure that the recovered funds were transparently deployed to projects and programmes capable of producing measurable improvements in the lives of people across the Niger Delta.

He called for priority attention to environmental challenges confronting the region, particularly erosion, shoreline degradation, ocean encroachment and other forms of ecological damage.

He said the commission should also strengthen its human capital and infrastructure development programmes to ensure that communities derive tangible benefits from the statutory resources meant for their development.

Chief Nengi James who is also the immediate former Vice president of Ijaw National Congress (INC) further urged communities in the Niger Delta to protect NDDC projects located in their areas, warning against the vandalism and theft of public infrastructure.

He called on the NDDC to sanction communities where projects and public amenities were deliberately vandalised or stripped of their facilities.

“It is despicable to see public infrastructure being vandalised and stolen with reckless abandon in communities across the Niger Delta,” he said, stressing that community ownership and protection were essential to sustaining development projects in the region.

By David Owei

Elders and people of the Olugboboro community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsà State have kicked against the alleged wrongful and strange directive from some members of management staff of OandO PLC stopping the ongoing reclamation project in the area.

According to the community, they were shocked and in disbelief over the recent directive by officials of Oando Plc ordering the contractor handling Olugboboro’s community reclamation project to stop work immediately being executed for the community.

The Elders of the Olugboboro Community led by Chief Ebimobowei Kenbo ( Ikpesiwari ), Chief Mathew Azeke (Akpokowari ), Chief Ayibaini Oweifighe (Compound Chief), Chief Layo Tarighebo (Compound Chief), Mr. Napoleon Azeke (General Secretary),Mr. Timiundumene Usen (Youth President) and Andrew Vincent (BOT Member), in a letter to the Chairman, BOT SILGA 1 Host Communities Development Trust, expressed displeasure over the directive ordering the contractor handling Olugboboro’s community reclamation project to stop work immediately being executed by Oando SILGA. 1. HCDT in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa State.

In the letter, the Olugboboro community attributed their displeasure to “the verbal message received by the contractor undertaking Olugboboro community reclamation project OGBODAWEI Nig Ltd. from the chairman of the board Mr. Profit Toyain that unnamed officials from Oando Plc, (settlor) directed him to inform the contractor to stop work immediately on the project; on the grounds that Olugboboro community sand filling project is not viable”.

“It will be pertinent to intimate you that Olugboboro community reclamation project went through all processes; before contract was awarded and consequent commencement of work by the contractor. Perhaps, a little explanation of the initial journey of the sand filling project would be necessary.”

“A need assessment of Olugboboro community was carried out by the precursor to Oando Plc, Agip in all host communities years ago. Wherein sand filling of the community’s back was identified as number priority project for Olugboboro community.”

“Also during the era of GMOU, the community submitted reclamation of the back to the Board but unfortunately; the GMOU did not take off and was subsequently replaced by the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. 2 ”

“When the PIA Act eventually took off, another need assessment was conducted in Olugboboro community: sand filling was considered the most important and pressing project the community highlighted.”

“It was carried out in conjunction with officials of Agip. When Oando SILGA.1. HCDT, began operation, all the host communities were required to submit priority projects to Oando SILGA.1. HCDT. Olugboboro community submitted five projects in order of preference or ranking order.”

“Again, reclamation of the back was ranked number one Project due to its overwhelming importance and transformational pull on the community. The settlor was duly informed. As a result, sand filling was approved as the first project.”

“Consequently, scoping was done to determine the viability of the project by officials of Oando, SILGA.1. HCDT. The report of the findings was submitted to the settlor and it was duly approved. The next stage was the contract award process.”

” Again, the settlor approved the process for the contract award. An open bidding process was conducted in May 2026, and the contract was awarded to OGBODAWEI Nig Ltd. Thereafter, an award letter was issued to the contractor on 29
th May, 2026.”

” Furthermore, on 11
th June, 2026 SILGA.1. HCDT led by the Project Manager went to Olugboboro community to formally handover the project site to the contractor to commence work. As expected, the contractor mobilized funds, resources and equipment and moved to site on 17
th June, 2026.”

“The contractor had already completed the first milestone; excavation of the soil has been successfully completed; when the settlor suddenly directed the chairman of the Board to intimate the contractor to stop work. In effect cancelling the project for no reason whatsoever.”

“The settlor cited flimsy, illogical and irrational reasons for cancelling the project; that reclamation project in a riverine community such as Olugboboro is not viable. We wish to inform you that most host communities in SILGA .1. HCDT have either completed their projects or nearing completion but Olugboboro’s project was unnecessarily delayed due to the antics of the settlor. Because the community had insisted that they did not need any other project; except reclamation of the back of the community.”

” Consequently, the scope of the project was watered down to accommodate the available funds; initial size of the project was 500m by 100m, but has been scaled down to 100m by 50m. 3. We would like to intimate you that the Olugboboro Community Environmental Improvement (Reclamation) project is a strategic intervention designed to address the persistent environmental and developmental challenges confronting the community.”

” Since the day the community was founded, it has been exposed to perennial flooding; resulting in the destruction of homes, loss of valuable land, disruption of livelihoods, displacements and constraints on physical and economic development.”

“Therefore, the project is not merely a capital project but a strategic environmental restoration initiative that underpins the community long-term developmental goals and aspirations.”

” In addition, the people of Olugboboro Community conceived the sand filling project as a multi-pronged approach to solving challenging environmental hiccups, as well as a sustainable engineering solution to improve drainage, reclaim land, reduce flood risks and create an enabling environment for future physical and socio- economic development of Olugboboro Community.”

“Consequently, we hereby wish to stress that the long-term economic benefits to be derived from this project are expected to exceed many conventional infrastructural projects; it creates the physical space upon which future development depends. Indeed, the project is a catalyst for sustainable development rather than simply a sand filling exercise.”

” In addition, the project aligns with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, Act 2021. The Act established Host Community Development Trust framework to promote sustainable development, environmental stewardship and socio-economic advancement in host communities.”

According to the community leadership, “The Olugboboro reclamation project directly advances these objectives by: addressing long-standing environmental challenges facing the community; such as improving community infrastructure, enhancing environmental sustainability, promoting economic empowerment.”

” It also supports, inclusive and sustainable development. Ultimately, to improve the quality of life of host communities. We wish to assert that, the project represents an exemplary implementation of the intent and objectives of the PIA Act 2021. Indeed, it was a huge relief when the contractor mobilized to site and began work 4 in earnest.”

” It was a dream realized; because it has been the greatest environmental challenges the people have endured since the day the community was founded. We had hoped that the dream of developing the community has finally arrived; finally, nature has been conquered through the sand filling project. We were sure, that our forefathers were smiling and celebrating in their graves when the project began.”

” Suddenly, the settlor decided to put spanner into the work: dashing the hopes of the community. The big questions that, the people of Olugboboro Community have been trying to answer are; how did the settlor conceive the concept of viable project and how did they arrive at viability of a project? Why is viability of project only confined to Olugboboro project? Why singled out Olugboboro project for such a sordid treatment? For a project that is so dear to the people’s heart.”

” A legacy project, that is the bedrock of Olugboboro Community’s modern development agenda. It is indeed, paradoxical and absurd for the settlor that has been operating in Olugboboro community for over fifty years (Agip and Oando Plc) to claim that sand filling the back of the community is not viable. A project that is consciously designed to usher in a paradigm shift in physical development index of the community.”

“The community’s future development plans largely depend on the successful execution of this project; making it an essential investment rather than option. We state hereby that Olugboboro Community do not want any other project apart from the reclamation that has already commenced.”

“This is our cherished and legacy project; until this project is successfully completed, we will not accept any other project in Olugboboro community. The order to stop work was conceived in bad taste; intended to truncate the match of progress and the people quest to overcome their challenging environment.”

“The directive to stop work, for a job that has already commenced and progressing accordingly offends common sense, sensibility of the people and ethos of corporate social responsibility. Indeed, the directive to stop work and terminate the project was part of a broader pattern to undo Olugboboro physical development.”

” Based on this development, the community’s trust and integrity of the settlor has been severely compromised and shaken. The order to cancel the project is obviously, an invitation to crisis and a fragrant breach of the PIA Act 2021; which requires host communities to choose projects according to their needs.”

“The order to stop is also clearly a breach of contract between SILGA 1 HCDT. and the contractor, (OGBODAWEI Nig Ltd) The community did not complain that contractor was having an issue or not performing. Why would Olugboboro Community case be different from others.”

“We have it on record that the settlor has not directed any contractor to stop work in any of 21 host communities in SILGA. 1.HCDT. This again has brought into sharp focus the distain and levity the settlor has treated any matter concerning Olugboboro Community. We have been treated unfairly and urge you stop maltreatment of Olugboboro Community in the scheme of things and what rightly belongs to the community.”

“In view of the above, we reject and condemn in strong terms the settlor directive ordering the contractor to stop work. The settlor is trying to draw back the hand of the clock; in effect retarding the anticipated physical development of the community on the successful execution of the project. We therefore, urge you to wade into the matter, direct Oando to order.