PTI, OGTAN Deepen Partnership to Boost Nigeria’s Energy Workforce
By Wilson Macaulay
The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, and the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria have initiated moves to deepen their strategic partnership aimed at transforming human capital development in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and emerging energy sectors.
Speaking during a high-level visit by OGTAN executives to PTI, OGTAN President, Mr. Chris Osarumwense, said the delegation was pleased to engage with PTI management on strengthening an existing relationship with the potential to reshape industry training and workforce development in the country.
Osarumwense reaffirmed OGTAN’s commitment to its partnership with PTI, noting that the association also enjoys strong support from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.
According to him, OGTAN plays a critical role in quality assurance, accreditation of training centres, and the promotion of industry-wide training standards. He expressed concern over the enormous resources Nigeria continues to expend on foreign professional certifications, stressing that one of the major objectives behind OGTAN’s establishment was to regulate certification processes locally while maintaining globally competitive standards.
The OGTAN President expressed confidence in the capacity of Nigerian training providers to deliver world-class certification programmes. He also disclosed plans for a major Human Capital Development Conference and Exhibition scheduled to hold at PTI, Effurun, Delta State, from August 25 to 27, 2026.
The conference, themed around workforce development and industry performance, is expected to attract between 350 and 500 delegates from across the oil and gas value chain to foster stronger collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Osarumwense also proposed a review and upgrade of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PTI and OGTAN. He further advocated the establishment of a Joint Committee to identify areas of mutual benefit and develop actionable strategies to achieve the partnership’s objectives.
Earlier in his welcome address, PTI Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Dr. Samuel Onoji, underscored the importance of strategic collaboration in addressing the manpower needs of Nigeria’s rapidly evolving energy industry. He noted that PTI’s extensive training infrastructure, research capabilities, and technical expertise position the institute as an ideal partner for OGTAN’s capacity-building initiatives.
A concept note presented during the meeting outlined key areas of collaboration, including joint professional certification programmes, technical and vocational skills training, digital transformation initiatives, energy transition programmes, research and development projects, as well as the establishment of an OGTAN–PTI Centre of Excellence for Human Capital Development.
The proposed partnership also seeks to enhance graduate employability through industry internships, mentorship programmes, stakeholder engagement forums, and internationally accredited training programmes. Both institutions believe these initiatives will significantly strengthen local content development while improving the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s energy workforce.
Speaking further on the proposed conference, OGTAN delegate Mr. Joe Oduah described the event as Nigeria’s premier Human Capital Development platform for the oil and gas industry. He revealed that the conference would feature ministerial keynote addresses, industry leadership sessions, exhibitions, networking opportunities, and strategic discussions aimed at shaping the future of workforce development in the nation’s energy sector.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the PTI-OGTAN alliance would create a sustainable framework for training excellence, innovation, and long-term industry growth in Nigeria.
