The managing director of Nigeria's Success Empowerment Limited has revealed that his company is to concentrate on oil and gas training and developing the next generation professionals within the country's Niger Delta region.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the first students on its Niger Delta Skills Acquisition programme in the coastal city of Port Harcourt, Dr Joel Emenike explained that ensuring that the 'sons and daughters' of current oil and gas employees have industry-relevant skills is key to the region's long-term prosperity.

In particular, individuals are to be encouraged to seek employment within private enterprises rather than through government-run schemes, while Dr Emenike also hinted that his organisation may launch an initiative in partnership with the Nigerian Entrepreneurship Development Foundation (EED) aimed at combating high unemployment levels in the Niger Delta.

Over the past few months security problems in the Niger Delta region have led to Nigeria being overtaken by Angola as Africa's biggest oil producer.

Oil & Gas Directory: Training & Development