NNPC raises the alarm over widening energy skills gap

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has warned of a growing skills gap within the nation's energy workforce, which could jeopardize the country's control over its energy future. Kazachiyang Nuhu, the Chief Human Resources Officer at NNPC, made the announcement at the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria HCD Conference and Expo in Warri, Delta State.

The widening gap is attributed to factors such as the Petroleum Industry Act, the Decade of Gas, the rise of local operators, and the global energy transition. Nuhu highlighted that artificial intelligence, digitalization, and automation are compressing skill cycles, and capital is increasingly flowing towards liquefied natural gas, cleaner molecules, and low-carbon opportunities.

To tackle the issue, Nuhu emphasized the need for reskilling and repositioning the workforce, as well as bridging the disconnect between academia and industry. Other challenges faced by the industry include a weak safety culture, spills, vandalism, crude theft, and the aging of assets. Nuhu called for a shift in how human capital development is approached, advocating for training to be closely linked to production, safety, reliability, and cost.

He also stressed the importance of benchmarking training against global standards and supporting it with emerging technologies such as simulators, digital twins, virtual and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. NNPC is committed to partnering with training providers that align with the industry's evolving direction and is already developing its workforce through various initiatives.

The company's ultimate goal is to ensure that Nigerians acquire the expertise needed to lead major projects to international standards, rather than merely hiring local talent.