Bajomo Advocates Skills Development to Boost Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector

Dr. Femi Bajomo, Chairman of Lapis Nigeria Limited, has emphasised the importance of strategic investment in both technical and non-technical training to strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and groom future leaders.

Speaking during an oil and gas development training organised by the company, Bajomo said the initiative was designed to equip professionals with a solid understanding of the industry’s fundamentals and the entire value chain that sustains it.

He explained that the programme aims to close knowledge gaps among a wide range of industry contributors, including lawyers, finance professionals, human resource experts, and external affairs specialists, alongside engineers and other technical personnel.

According to him, the goal is to encourage broader participation and deeper understanding across all professional categories. “The training is meant to help both technical and non-technical professionals grasp the core principles of oil and gas development,” he said.

Bajomo noted that despite Nigeria’s vast oil and gas resources, sustained growth in the sector depends heavily on continuous investment in human capacity. This, he added, is especially crucial as indigenous firms increasingly assume responsibilities once dominated by international oil companies.

He revealed that the training programme was structured to cater to different professional needs. While a two-week intensive session for technical participants had earlier been held in Port Harcourt, the current phase focuses on non-technical professionals who play key roles in supporting industry operations.

Participants in the earlier session were exposed to hands-on field experiences, including visits to drilling sites, refineries, flow stations, and gas plants, to enhance their practical knowledge of industry processes.

Now in its second cohort, Bajomo said the programme would continue to expand to accommodate more participants in the future.

Highlighting Nigeria’s position in the global energy market, he described the country as one of Africa’s leading oil producers and a major holder of gas reserves. He stressed that oil and gas would remain vital to global energy supply for years to come.

He also pointed to evolving global dynamics that could create opportunities for Nigeria to increase production and strengthen its presence in the international energy space.

Addressing industry challenges, Bajomo attributed Nigeria’s recent struggles to meet production targets to limited exploration activities and persistent security issues affecting pipelines and infrastructure.

However, he expressed optimism that increased drilling efforts and upcoming projects would help boost output in the near future.