The Nigerian government has reportedly halted all foreign training and development programmes in reaction to sliding revenues coming off the back of a weak oil price.

Commenting on the development, Nigerian daily the Guardian has reported that unless training courses are reinstated quickly, technically complex sectors such as the oil and gas industry could suffer irreparably.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (Pengassan) has logged its acute concern about the decision to cut off training schemes, with particular dismay registered by Shell's country director Basil Omiyi.

Pengassan added: "Training and development and other manpower capacity building requirements are obligations of management to meet up with the identified gaps and breaches of the provisions of the Petroleum Act 1969."

All Africa reports that the organisation may now pursue strike action until the reinstatement of training and development programmes is made.

The group warned that the country would quickly fall behind international standards pursued by the global oil and gas industry unless training is re-established.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development