By Majeed Salaam
In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas industry through technology and youth empowerment, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled its flagship Digitisation Initiative, a capacity development programme designed to equip young Nigerians with advanced digital and data analytics skills.
The South-West leg of the launch took place on Tuesday, 7 October,2025, in Victoria Island, Lagos, marking another milestone in NCDMB’s long-term drive to promote digital transformation, local content growth, and sustainable human capacity development within the energy sector.
The initiative is sponsored by Seplat Energy Plc in collaboration with NCDMB’s Human Capacity Development Division and Uniqueocean Limited, the programme’s implementation partner.
Shaping the Future Workforce
Speaking on behalf of NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Manager of Services Utilisation, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, said that the programme was the product of “detailed planning, commitment, and collaboration” between the board and its partners.
“This is not just training; it is a transformative journey,” he said. “We expect every participant to be fully committed for the entire 18-month duration. The board and its partners have made significant financial and technical investments to ensure your success.”
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the board’s mandate to bridge skill gaps in Nigeria’s energy workforce and keep professionals competitive in an era of rapid digital change.
“We want you to see yourselves not as students but as young professionals in the oil and gas industry,” he added. “Be open-minded, ready to unlearn and relearn. If you are focused and disciplined, it will change the trajectory of your career.”
Professionalism and Accountability at the Core
Also speaking, Letty Agala from NCDMB’s Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate outlined the Code of Conduct governing the trainees, stressing professionalism, discipline, and accountability.
“This programme demands responsibility,” she said. “Absenteeism without approval will not be tolerated. Every participant must demonstrate the ethics and behaviour of a young professional representing NCDMB in the oil and gas space.”
To ensure effective supervision, the board has established a monthly reporting system to track participants’ progress and maintain seamless communication between the training centre and NCDMB.
Building Skills for the Digital Oilfield
Emmanuel Adeshola, Programme Manager at Uniqueocean Limited, explained that the training bridges the gap between academic learning and real industry needs.
“This initiative is about preparing Nigerians for the future of work,” Adeshola said. “It will cover disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, and Software Development.”
Participants will work collaboratively on real-life projects, including developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for equipment maintenance in the oil and gas sector. The programme will adopt a blended learning model – combining physical and virtual sessions – with participants dedicating 15 to 20 hours weekly.
The curriculum unfolds in three structured phases:
- Foundation Phase (12 weeks): Focuses on core digital literacy and essential tools for the oil and gas industry.
- Advanced Phase (14 weeks): Delves into technical specialisations such as AI, Data Analytics, and Cloud Computing.
- Incubation Phase (3–18 months): Offers guided industry placements or start-up support, culminating in a capstone project validated by industry experts.
A Heavy Investment in Human Capital
Each participant will receive comprehensive welfare support, including accommodation, health insurance, new laptops, and monthly stipends – reflecting an investment of over N20 million per trainee.
Principal Consultant of Uniqueocean, Olayanju Olasunkanmi, described the programme as a professional engagement rather than a classroom exercise.
“NCDMB’s investment in you is enormous,” he told participants. “You are not just trainees – you are employees for the next 18 months. Our goal is to see you evolve into innovators capable of building solutions that impact Nigeria’s economy. Your career is our business.”
Driving Local Content Through Digital Capacity
The Digitisation Initiative is one of NCDMB’s flagship projects under its Human Capacity Development Programme, focused on building local expertise, promoting technology transfer, and preparing Nigerian youths for leadership roles in the global digital energy ecosystem.
Through such forward-looking initiatives, NCDMB continues to affirm its commitment to sustainable local content growth, youth empowerment, and technological advancement, positioning Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as a model for digital transformation across Africa.
