Nigeria needs to embark on an aggressive training and development programme in order to increase the size and skill level of its national workforce, Philip Chukwu, group executive director of exploration and production at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp (NNPC), has claimed.

At a meeting in Abuja earlier this week, Chukwu told representatives of the oil and gas industry that there was an acute local skills shortage in the oil and gas industry.

He attributed this to years of reliance on foreign skills to prop up the country's energy sector.

"We lack mentors who would train the young and upcoming professionals in the industry. We also need to extend the training to industry service providers," he said.

In other recent announcements, the NNPC has this week claimed that its Pipeline Products and Marketing Company is moving towards profitability as losses from flares and vandalism continue to decrease.

Written by Kim Bardsley

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development