- The Federal Government tasked PTI with training skilled professionals for Nigeria’s oil and gas reforms and energy transition.
- PTI must align training with industry needs, expand internships, and ensure that most graduates gain employment or start businesses.
The Federal Government has tasked the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) in Effurun, Delta State, with training the next generation of skilled workers to support the country’s oil and gas reforms and energy transition, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources Nicholas Ella said on Wednesday, October 22.
Ella opened the 2025 International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology, representing both Ministers of State for Petroleum. He said Nigeria must develop expertise in gas valorisation, hydrogen, and carbon capture, while ensuring domestic skills meet international standards.
In addition, he outlined three priorities for PTI: upskill workers for the energy transition, close the domestic skills gap, and expand research and technology transfer. Ella said Nigeria increased oil production to 1.7–1.83 million barrels per day and raised active drilling rigs from 31 to 50 in seven months, crediting Petroleum Industry Act reforms and initiatives like “Project One Million Barrels.”
Furthermore, Ella instructed PTI to integrate environmental, social, and governance principles, expand internship and apprenticeship programmes, and deploy digital learning platforms nationwide. He urged PTI to collaborate with operators and international institutions to drive innovation and domestic technology development.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his chief of staff, praised PTI for awarding him an Excellence in Leadership prize and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to stabilising oil production through community engagement and environmental accountability.