Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a strategic move to address the critical skills gap in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the Federal Government has flagged off the construction of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, BOGAA, in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The academy, located within the Kolmani region, is envisioned as a premier institution for energy training and manpower development, as well as play a pivotal role in building the technical capacity needed to drive Nigeria’s energy ambitions.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who performed the groundbreaking alongside Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, said the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to transform the energy sector through human capital development.
“The activation of all national facilities designed to contribute to the transformation of our oil sector remains critical. This informed President Tinubu’s directive that all pending regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project be issued without delay,” Lokpobiri said.
The Minister noted that the Federal Government, through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, has continued to invest in skill development and technological advancement across the oil and gas value chain.
He added that the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy is positioned to become a hub for training future engineers, geoscientists, and technicians for the country’s expanding energy sector.
“With Bauchi State embracing this drive through the establishment of the Academy, the State is positioning itself as a strategic contributor to the human capital development required to power the sector forward,” Lokpobiri stated.
He also expressed optimism that the institution would forge a strong partnership with PTDF and other relevant stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability and relevance in line with global energy transition trends.
Governor Bala Mohammed commended the Federal Government for siting the academy in the state, describing it as a “monumental investment” in the future of the North-East and Nigeria at large.
The Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy is expected to offer specialised training in drilling, refining, safety management, and other technical competencies tailored to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, particularly in the context of Northern Nigeria’s emerging upstream potential.
