The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has directed the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to accelerate the completion of the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna. This initiative aims to bridge the skills gap in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He made these remarks during a recent visit to the institution, situated along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway near the Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex.
Accompanied by senior PTDF officials, Lokpobiri expressed satisfaction with the state-of-the-art facilities already in place at the college, which was established in 2009 with an investment exceeding N15 billion. Emphasizing the urgency of making the college fully operational, Lokpobiri highlighted its pivotal role in training Nigerians for critical roles in the industry, potentially saving substantial foreign exchange currently spent on training abroad.
He underscored the importance of collaboration among government institutions like NNPC, NUPRC, and NMDPRA in patronizing the college once it becomes operational. Lokpobiri pointed out that the college’s mandate to train senior cadre officers in the oil and gas sector aligns with national objectives to enhance local capacity and reduce reliance on foreign training.
Addressing the media, Lokpobiri stated, “Every year, thousands of Nigerians are trained abroad due to limited local facilities. The establishment of this college will enable more Nigerians to receive high-quality training domestically, saving significant foreign exchange.”
The minister further disclosed plans to brief the President on fast-tracking the commissioning of the college for immediate use. He stressed the potential of the college to significantly expand training opportunities, allowing more Nigerians to obtain internationally recognized qualifications without leaving the country.
During the visit, Ahmad Galadima Aminu, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, reaffirmed the institution’s readiness to commence operations, noting that substantial progress had been made on 63 out of 87 awarded contracts. He outlined completed projects such as an International Conference Centre, residential buildings, and extensive infrastructure necessary for a world-class educational facility.
Aminu outlined the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies’ mission to excel in theoretical and practical training, research, and development, in collaboration with international and local partners in the energy industry and academia. He highlighted that the National Universities Commission had granted provisional approval for the college to operate as a private postgraduate university, with plans to offer a diverse range of programs across various departments.
Moreover, PTDF has initiated partnerships with prominent UK universities—the University of Portsmouth, the University of Strathclyde, and Robert Gordon University—to deliver specialized postgraduate programs. These collaborations are aimed at ensuring that graduates receive globally competitive education and skills.
In conclusion, Aminu emphasized the lean governance structure proposed for the college, designed to facilitate efficient management and delivery of its educational programs. He also highlighted the collaborative framework developed with NNPC to enhance the delivery of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and career progression programs within the oil and gas industry.
The ongoing efforts underscore a concerted commitment by the Nigerian government and PTDF to strengthen local capacity and empower Nigerians with the requisite skills to drive the nation’s oil and gas sector forward.
