PTI, OGTAN Move to Revolutionize Human Capital Development in Nigeria’s Energy Sector
By Wilson Macaulay
The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, and the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) have initiated moves to deepen their strategic partnership in a bid to transform human capital development within Nigeria’s oil, gas, and emerging energy sectors.
Speaking during a high-level visit by OGTAN executives to PTI, the President of OGTAN, Mr. Chris Osarumwense, said the delegation was delighted to engage with PTI management on strengthening an already existing relationship that has the potential to reshape industry training and workforce development in Nigeria.
Osarumwense emphasized that OGTAN remains fully committed to its partnership with PTI and enjoys the strong backing of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
- Advertisement -
According to him, the association plays a crucial role in quality assurance, accreditation of training centres, and the promotion of industry-wide training standards. He lamented the huge amount of resources Nigeria continues to spend on foreign professional certifications, stressing that one of the key objectives behind the establishment of OGTAN was to regulate certification processes locally while maintaining globally acceptable standards.
The OGTAN President expressed confidence that Nigerian training providers possess the expertise and capacity required to deliver world-class certification programmes.
He further disclosed in his speech that
there is a big plan for a major Human Capital Development Conference and Exhibition scheduled to hold at PTI, Effurun, Delta State from August 25 to 27, 2026.
The conference, themed around workforce development and industry performance, is expected to attract between 350 and 500 delegates from across the oil and gas value chain,
to strengthen collaboration. Osarumwense proposed a review and upgrade of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PTI and OGTAN. He also advocated the establishment of a Joint Committee that would identify areas of mutual advantage and develop actionable strategies for achieving the partnership’s objectives.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of PTI, Engr. Dr. Samuel Onoji, highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing the manpower needs of Nigeria’s rapidly evolving energy industry. He noted that PTI’s extensive training infrastructure, research capabilities, and technical expertise make it an ideal partner for OGTAN’s industry-wide capacity development initiatives.
A concept note presented during the meeting outlined ambitious areas of collaboration, including joint professional certification programmes, technical and vocational skills training, digital transformation initiatives, energy transition programmes, research and development projects, and the establishment of an OGTAN–PTI Centre of Excellence for Human Capital Development.
The proposed partnership also seeks to promote graduate employability, industry internships, mentorship programmes, stakeholder engagement forums, and international accreditation of training programmes. Both institutions believe these initiatives will significantly strengthen local content development while improving the competitiveness of Nigeria’s energy workforce.
Speaking further on the proposed conference, OGTAN delegate Mr. Joe Oduah described the event as Nigeria’s premier Human Capital Development platform for the oil and gas industry. He revealed that the conference would feature ministerial keynote addresses, industry leadership sessions, exhibitions, networking opportunities, and strategic discussions aimed at shaping the future of workforce development in the nation’s energy sector. Stakeholders expressed optimism that the PTI-OGTAN alliance would create a sustainable framework for training excellence, innovation, and industry growth in Nigeria.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JUNE 24TH 2026)
