The Federal Government, as part of efforts to build human capacity in the oil and gas industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
The partnership, Tribune Online reports, aims to facilitate resource exchange for training Nigerians in-country, aligning with global energy transition trends while boosting local expertise in the sector.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, while speaking at the signing ceremony, which also had in attendance the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Ahmed Galadima Aminu and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, Professor Graham Galbraith, said the partnership represents a key milestone in driving Nigeria’s local capacity development.
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“This partnership represents a key milestone in our drive to localize capacity development. While the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has collaborated with UoP for years to train Nigerians abroad.
“We are now bringing such partnerships home to expand access and train even more people. In this critical era of energy transition, human capacity development is as essential as financing the transition itself,” Lokpobiri said.
Lokpobiri, who was in Scotland few weeks ago for a similar engagement, further underscored government’s commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration.
“Our goal is not just to enhance skills for the oil and gas industry but to equip Nigerians to thrive beyond our borders,” he added.
Commenting on the initiative and its potential impact, Fagbemi said, “The MoU between the Federal Government and the University of Portsmouth is a commendable step in repositioning our workforce for the global energy landscape.
“I am particularly impressed by the inclusivity of this effort, which prioritises the growth of Nigerians within our shores.”
The Executive Secretary of the PTDF described the agreement as a significant achievement in the Fund’s mission to build local capacity.
“This partnership with UoP leverages their longstanding experience with PTDF programs. By bringing this collaboration to Nigeria, we are expanding the reach and accessibility of these opportunities, ensuring that more Nigerians benefit,” he stated .
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, Professor Galbraith, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.
“The University of Portsmouth is proud to continue its engagement with Nigeria through this MoU.
“This collaboration highlights our commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise to foster sustainable development, especially as the world navigates the challenges of energy transition,” he said.
