Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has launched the Advanced Human Capital Development, HCD, On-the-Job Training Programme under the Train 7 project, targeting 140 young Nigerians for in-depth industry training at the company’s Bonny Island facilities.
This marks a significant phase in the NLNG Train 7 project, which is currently 80% complete, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building a competent Nigerian workforce for the oil and gas sector.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony in Port Harcourt, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, described the programme as a reaffirmation of the company’s alignment with the Federal Government’s Nigerian Content development goals.
“This program represents more than just another milestone; it is a reaffirmation of NLNG’s unwavering commitment to Human Capital Development. We believe that the foundation of true and lasting development lies in the empowerment of our people, particularly our youths.”
The newly launched batch of 140 trainees will undergo intensive on-the-job training across technical disciplines within NLNG’s facilities.
The programme follows two earlier batches under the Train 7 Basic Training Programme, with Batch A involving 331 trainees in areas such as Engineering, ICT, HSE, and Welding; and Batch B, which began in May 2025, training 70 Nigerians in Data Analytics and Supply Chain Management.
Horsfall charged the trainees to maximize the rare opportunity, saying: “This is a unique opportunity to actualise your full potential and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy sector. Engage actively. Seek not only to complete the OJT but to master the skills that will serve you for life.”
In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, said the programme symbolizes a collective drive to “nurture world-class Nigerian professionals who will shape the future of our oil and gas industry.”
“At NCDMB, Human Capital Development is not a box to be ticked, it is a critical investment. This initiative underscores our belief that theory must meet practice, and that skills must be honed in environments that reflect the realities of the modern energy sector.”
Ogbe represented by Mrs Tarilate Teide-Bribena, Manager, Human Capacity Development of NCDMB, noted that over 400 Nigerians have already benefitted from various training programmes facilitated under the Train 7 project and emphasized the value of practical learning in bridging the gap between academic theory and field expertise.
The NCDMB boss also commended NLNG for its consistent leadership in local content development, describing the company as “a trusted and forward-looking partner.”
“To the trainees,” he said, “you are not just participants, you are ambassadors of the national content agenda. Your performance will shape future opportunities for others.”
Also applauding the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria, OGTAN, for its critical role in aligning training content with industry needs, the NCDMB charged stakeholders across the value chain to prioritize HCD as a pillar for Nigeria’s energy future.
As the Train 7 project nears mechanical completion, the HCD programme is expected to play a vital role in ensuring that indigenous professionals are equipped with globally relevant skills to sustain growth in Nigeria’s gas sector and enhance local participation in high-value roles.
The Train 7 project is expected to boost NLNG’s production capacity by 35%, reinforcing Nigeria’s position in the global LNG market.
