NCDMB, Heritage Energy Train 48 Nigerians in Subsea Engineering
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) and Global Oceon Engineers Nigeria Limited, has launched a programme to train 48 Nigerians in subsea engineering.
The initiative was inaugurated on Friday, October 16, 2026, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to bridge critical skills gaps and deepen indigenous technical capacity in the oil and gas industry.
The 12-month programme comprises six months of classroom instruction and six months of on-the-job training. Its curriculum covers risers and hydrodynamics engineering, offshore structures design, pipeline engineering, and computer-aided design and drafting (AutoCAD).
In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Human Capacity Development, Ms. Emelle Alexis, said the training would prepare participants for the technical demands of subsea operations.
“Today marks the beginning of a transformational journey for 48 young Nigerians in a highly specialised field that demands precision, discipline and accountability. Through intensive classroom instruction and structured on-the-job training, the participants will gain hands-on experience in subsea engineering,” he said.
Ogbe emphasised that technical competence, professionalism and safety consciousness were essential to offshore operations.
“Beyond technical proficiency, the training is designed to develop your problem-solving skills, teamwork, professionalism and commitment to safety,” he said, urging participants to make the most of the opportunity.
He expressed confidence that the trainees would acquire the expertise and professional standards required to contribute to the industry.
The Manager, Nigerian Content Development at Heritage Energy, Felix Osiwo, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to local skills development, describing a competent Nigerian workforce as essential to delivering energy infrastructure projects and sustaining industry growth.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Global Oceon Engineers Nigeria Limited, George Ebuh, represented by Engr. Ifedolapo Aderibigbe, described the initiative as a strategic investment in indigenous subsea engineering expertise, noting that skilled local professionals were vital to offshore and deepwater operations.
The trainees welcomed the opportunity, highlighting safety training and AutoCAD as important components of their learning.
The programme forms part of NCDMB’s Top 10 Field Readiness Human Capacity Development initiatives, which seek to address industry skills shortages, promote technology transfer and expand Nigerian participation in specialised oil and gas activities, particularly offshore and deepwater operations.
Representatives of the three organisations, trainees, facilitators and other industry stakeholders attended the inauguration.
