Skills shortage poses risk to Nigeria’s oil sector growth
Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is facing a potential crisis due to a lack of skilled professionals. Oritsemeyewa Eyesan, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, has urged local operators to prioritize human capital development. She emphasized that failure to address the skills gap could undermine the sector’s long-term prospects and Nigeria’s global reputation. The increasing role of indigenous companies, following the exit of international firms, has made this issue more urgent.
TLDR
- Oritsemeyewa Eyesan warned that a shortage of skilled professionals threatens the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
- She called on indigenous operators to invest in human capital and uphold industry standards.
- The Independent Petroleum Producers Group was urged to enforce discipline and emulate multinational operational standards.
- Eyesan highlighted the importance of compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and strong corporate governance.
- The Commission has fully transitioned to a paperless system as part of reforms to boost efficiency and transparency, achieving this on Friday, April 18, 2026.
