Barikui Felix
The Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), Limited has said that it is committed to training and making available adequate manpower to compete in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This is even as the company has concluded plans to train another batch of 140 youths on advanced skills relevant in the country’s oil and gas sector at its Train 7 facility located in Bonny Island, Bonny Local Government Area in Rivers State.
The training, which is in its third phase, is conducted in conjunction with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB. The trainees who were commissioned in Port Harcourt are expected to undergo the on-the-job training component of the NLNG Train 7 Project in several skill areas relevant to the oil and gas industry.
Addressing trainees at the kick-off of the Train 7 Project Human Capacity Development Advanced Training Programme in Port Harcourt, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development of NLNG, Dr Sophia Horsfall stated that the training is a reaffirmation of NLNG’s unwavering commitment to the Human Capital Development mandate of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the NCDMB, to build a strong, skilled, and competitive Nigerian workforce, for the oil and gas industry.
Horsfall said that the company believes that the foundation of true and lasting development lies in the empowerment of the people, particularly the youth, which is why it’s embarking on the training.
She noted that Batch A of the NLNG T7 HCD Basic Training Programme commenced in November 2024 with 331 trainees undergoing capacity development in Facility Management, Engineering, ICT, HSE, Quality Assurance and Quality Control, Welding and Fabrication amongst other disciplines while Batch B of the NLNG Train 7 Basic Training Programme which also kicked off on 27th May 2025, had 70 trainees undergoing capacity development in Data Analytics and Supply Chain Management.
She added, “Today, 140 trainees are being inaugurated to undergo a robust advanced on-the-job training programme (OJT) within NLNG facilities to further enhance skills obtained in various disciplines. These are critical skills required in the industry and a testament to the many impressive benefits of the NLNG Train 7 Project, which is currently at about 80% completion.”
Urging the trainees to seize the opportunity to acquire skills that would last them beyond the project, she emphasised that the company is committed to initiatives that align business successes with national development.
“At NLNG, we remain committed to initiatives that align business success with national development.
“As we begin this new phase, let it mark the start of transformational journeys for our trainees, for our communities, and Nigeria, in keeping with our vision of inspiring a sustainable future,” she added.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr Felix Ogbe, said the training represents a collective commitment to nurturing world-class Nigerian professionals that will shape the future of the country’s oil and gas industry.
Represented by Mrs Tarilate Teide-Bribena, the Manager, Human Capacity Development of NCDMB, Ogbe commended the NLNG for the partnership.
“I must pause here to commend Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) for your unwavering partnership in this journey. Over the years, NLNG has not only complied with Nigerian Content requirements but has consistently shown leadership in embracing the spirit of national capacity building.
“This project, and your continued collaboration, further validates your role as a trusted and forward-looking partner in the development of our human capital base,” Ogbe stated.
The NCDMB executive secretary asserted that projects such as the NLNG Train 7 NC-HCD are an embodiment of a functional collaboration that fosters a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of driving innovation and efficiency in the oil and gas value chain.
He said that as a result of the collaboration, Nigerian youths are being strategically equipped to take on high-value roles, participate in international projects, and contribute meaningfully to the global energy market, thereby fulfilling the broader goals of economic inclusion and national development envisioned under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Ogbe charged the trainees with seeing it as a privilege to better their lives while urging them to remain focused.
For his part, the Project Director of NLNG Train 7, Engr Ali Uwais, who was represented at the event by Engr Joshua Anemeje, the Manager, Corporate Liaison of Train 7, urged the trainees not to be carried away by the hospitality of Bonny Kingdom but to take advantage of every opportunity created by the training to learn new skills to enhance their lives.
