Page 20 - Nigeriaone mag 2 edition en

The necessity to train the youth in the oil and gas sector

african worker, illustrative image

Africa has an important crude oil reserve estimated Senegal, conscious of the urgency, has launched a
at around 125.3 billion barrels. its natural gas school ( National Institute of Oil & Gas) to teach
reserves could last at least another 60 years before and train students in the oil and gas industry.
being depleted, considering the present level of The first oil producer of the continent, Nigeria is
production which will significantly increase taking the lead with well known organization like
following the recent discoveries. In 2020 for NAPE, the largest professional association of
example, the continent produced 231 billion cubic petroleum geologists and related disciplines in
meters of natural gas. Additionally, major gas Nigeria and Africa, to significantly impact the
reserves discovered in countries like Nigeria, industry. The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP)
Mozambique and Senegal had not been exploited is another organization of the kind.
yet. To take full advantage of Africa’s natural resources,
OPEC leaders stated that oil will still be fully African countries need specialized engineers,
exploited until at least the year 2045 and many technicians, electricians, plumbers and more…
experts believe that oil will still be relevant for the African youth must have specific qualifications and
next fifty years. As for the exploitation of gas most skills to work in this industry.
African gas producers seem to agree that gas will Governments have the duty to make available all
be the main vehicle of energy transition in Africa. needed information to the youth, students, and
It is important for African countries to have skilled workers and to facilitate the access to knowledge.
and qualified workers in order to fully benefit from Nigeria, for instance, counts over seventy state
this industry. The Director of Local Content at universities and have O/G programs in most of
Petroleum Commission of Ghana Kwaku Boateng, them.
stated “Ghana only started to develop its oil and gas Another good example in Nigeria is the National
in 2010 and the market is still young. Right now, we Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG). It’s worth about $17.
are trying to develop our local content. Because our 5 billion, 51% stake by international oil companies
technicians had no requisite experience, and 49% to the Nigerian National Petroleum
international firms were bringing their own Company Limited (NNPC). It is a perfect example of
experienced workers”. how we should use our natural resources. This
A few countries that have not yet started the organization is employing over 1,000 people, 95%
exploitation of their O/G resources are taken steps of them are Nigerian, the company is competing
towing training their workforce. A country like with well-known international firms.

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