Initiative combines six months of classroom instruction with six months of practical industry experience to strengthen indigenous capacity in offshore operations.
In a strategic move to deepen indigenous participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) and Global Oceon Engineers Nigeria Limited, has launched a specialised subsea engineering training programme for 48 Nigerians.
Designed to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous technical workforce, the initiative seeks to bridge critical skills gaps in the oil and gas industry while preparing qualified Nigerians to undertake increasingly complex offshore and deepwater operations. The programme was formally launched on Friday, October 16, 2026, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
To ensure participants gain both foundational knowledge and industry-relevant experience, the training will run for 12 months, comprising six months of classroom-based instruction and another six months of structured on-the-job training.
The curriculum covers key areas of subsea engineering, including risers and hydrodynamics engineering, offshore structures design and engineering, pipeline engineering, and computer-aided design and drafting (AutoCAD). These disciplines are essential to the design, construction, maintenance and safe operation of offshore oil and gas infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager of Human Capacity Development, Ms. Emelle Alexis, described the programme as a significant step towards building a technically proficient Nigerian workforce for the oil and gas sector.
“Today marks the beginning of a transformational journey for 48 young Nigerians in a highly specialised field that demands precision, discipline and accountability,” he said.
Ogbe explained that the blend of classroom instruction and practical exposure would prepare participants for the technical challenges and professional responsibilities associated with subsea engineering.
He stressed that competence in the field goes beyond possessing engineering knowledge, noting that subsea operations demand professionalism, sound judgement and an unwavering commitment to safety.
According to him, the programme is structured to develop not only technical proficiency but also essential workplace attributes, including problem-solving, teamwork, professional conduct and environmental responsibility.
“The competencies you acquire through this programme are critical to the safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible operation of modern oil and gas facilities,” he stated.
The NCDMB chief urged the trainees to approach the opportunity with dedication and discipline, encouraging them to embrace the demands of the training and uphold the standards required in the highly specialised subsea engineering field.
He expressed confidence that the participants would complete the programme with the technical capabilities and professional values needed to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Heritage Energy Reaffirms Commitment to Local Expertise
Also speaking at the event, the Manager of Nigerian Content Development at Heritage Energy, Felix Osiwo, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to nurturing indigenous technical expertise and expanding opportunities for Nigerians within the energy sector.
Osiwo noted that a skilled local workforce was indispensable to the successful delivery of existing and future energy infrastructure projects. He added that developing domestic expertise would help sustain industry growth, improve local participation and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to execute technically demanding projects.
His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration between industry operators, engineering firms and regulatory institutions in preparing Nigerians for specialised roles that have traditionally required highly developed technical capabilities.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Global Oceon Engineers Nigeria Limited, George Ebuh, represented by Engr. Ifedolapo Aderibigbe, described the programme as a strategic investment by the three partners in developing indigenous subsea engineering capacity.
He emphasised that qualified local professionals were vital to ensuring the safety, reliability and efficiency of offshore and deepwater infrastructure, particularly as the industry continues to depend on specialised engineering expertise.
The trainees, in their remarks, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to acquire advanced technical skills. They also highlighted safety training and AutoCAD as important components of their learning, reflecting the practical demands of engineering work in the offshore environment.
Programme Targets Critical Industry Skills Gaps
The training initiative is part of NCDMB’s Top 10 Field Readiness Human Capacity Development programmes, which seek to address critical manpower and technical skills shortages across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Through such interventions, the Board aims to build a pipeline of specialised Nigerian professionals for offshore and deepwater operations, facilitate technology transfer and increase indigenous participation in high-value industry activities.
Subsea engineering remains a critical component of offshore oil and gas development, involving complex systems and infrastructure that support the movement of hydrocarbons from underwater wells to processing facilities. The availability of adequately trained local professionals is therefore essential to maintaining operational safety, reliability and efficiency.
By combining structured academic instruction with practical workplace training, the programme is expected to improve participants’ readiness for employment and equip them with skills relevant to the demands of the industry.
Beyond the immediate benefits to the 48 trainees, the initiative represents a broader effort to strengthen local technical capacity, reduce skills gaps and expand the participation of Nigerian professionals in specialised areas of the energy value chain.
Representatives of NCDMB, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited and Global Oceon Engineers Nigeria Limited attended the launch alongside the trainees, facilitators and other industry stakeholders, marking the commencement of the year-long training initiative.