The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has called for urgent measures to address the widening skills gap in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.
Eyesan made the call on Friday while receiving a delegation from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
She attributed the shortage of skilled professionals, particularly geologists, to a prolonged decline in exploration activities prior to the current administration. According to her, the slowdown significantly reduced opportunities for hands-on experience and workforce development within the sector.
The NUPRC boss, however, expressed optimism about a turnaround, noting that renewed investor confidence has followed the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and reform-driven policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She said the improved business climate is already stimulating increased exploration activities across the country.
“With exploration gradually picking up again, there is a pressing need to rebuild capacity and equip professionals with the requisite skills to meet industry demands,” Eyesan stated.
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In her remarks, the Vice Principal for Partnerships at Robert Gordon University, Donella Beaton, said the visit was driven by a strong interest in fostering academic collaboration within Africa. She noted that partnerships with Nigerian institutions and regulators would help bridge knowledge gaps and support capacity building in the energy sector.
The engagement underscores growing international collaboration aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s human capital base in the upstream petroleum industry, as the country seeks to maximise the benefits of renewed exploration and investment.
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