The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has successfully completed the training of 122 graduates under the Train 7 Project Capacity-Building Initiative. The programme, which focused on equipping young Nigerians with critical industry skills, is part of efforts to ensure that the landmark Train 7 expansion project delivers long-term benefits to the local workforce and boosts in-country capacity in the oil and gas sector.
According to the organisers, the training covered a wide range of technical and professional disciplines, including engineering, project management, health and safety, and specialized skills required for the construction and operation of LNG facilities. The beneficiaries, drawn from different parts of the country, were carefully selected after a rigorous screening process and exposed to both classroom and practical sessions facilitated by industry experts.
The Train 7 Project, currently under construction in Bonny Island, Rivers State, is expected to increase NLNG’s production capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 30 MTPA. Beyond its economic impact, the project has been positioned as a driver of Nigerian content development, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs while promoting skills transfer to local professionals. The training initiative is therefore seen as a strategic step in preparing young Nigerians to take on roles in the project and the broader oil and gas industry.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, officials from both NLNG and NCDMB reaffirmed their commitment to fostering local participation and ensuring that Nigerians play leading roles in major energy projects. They emphasized that the programme reflects the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, which mandates greater involvement of local expertise and institutions in industry operations.
Beneficiaries of the training expressed gratitude to NLNG and NCDMB for the opportunity, noting that the skills acquired would position them competitively in the job market. Some participants highlighted that the programme not only broadened their technical knowledge but also instilled a sense of confidence and readiness to contribute to Nigeria’s energy sector.
Industry analysts have welcomed the initiative as a positive model of collaboration between regulators and operators, stressing that sustained investment in human capital development is crucial to addressing skills gaps in Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain. They also noted that such programmes enhance Nigeria’s ability to retain more value from its natural resources by reducing dependence on foreign expertise.
With the graduation of the 122 participants, NLNG and NCDMB have pledged to continue investing in human capital initiatives tied to Train 7 and future projects. The move is expected to not only strengthen the country’s capacity in LNG production but also ensure that Nigerians remain at the center of the industry’s growth story.
