The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has announced that its ambitious $10 billion Train 7 Project is now 80% complete, signaling a major milestone in one of the most technologically advanced undertakings in the country’s energy sector. The company also emphasized the growing need for highly skilled technical personnel to support the final phases of the project.
The Final Investment Decision (FID) for Train 7 was signed in December 2019, and the project has since made steady progress on Bonny Island, Rivers State.
Speaking during the official flag-off of the Advanced Nigerian Content Human Capital Development (NC-HCD) Programme on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development, described the training programme as a vital component of the company’s commitment to local content and workforce development.
“This programme reaffirms NLNG’s unwavering dedication to developing a robust, skilled, and professional workforce for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” Dr. Horsfall stated.
Organized in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the three-month advanced training will see 140 graduates gain hands-on experience across various operations at the NLNG plant, including Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), commissioning activities, and digital systems management.
On-the-Job Training for Industry Readiness
The newly inducted trainees are entering the practical phase of a broader capacity-building initiative that began with a 12-month Basic Training Programme focused on oil and gas-related disciplines. The programme, delivered by the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and operational readiness.
This cohort follows earlier batches of participants. In November 2024, 331 trainees under Batch A began training in areas such as facility management, ICT, HSE, engineering, welding, and fabrication. Another 77 trainees in Batch B specialized in data analytics, supply chain management, and other critical fields aligned with energy sector needs.
NCDMB: Human Capital Is Key to Industry’s Future
Representing the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Tarilate Teide-Bribena, Manager of Human Capital Development, emphasized that the on-the-job training launch is more than a procedural step it’s a strategic move to build world-class Nigerian professionals who will lead the industry into the future.
“We believe that investing in human capital is essential for the long-term sustainability and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain,” she said.
Teide-Bribena noted that over 400 Nigerians have already completed basic technical training under the NC-HCD initiative, equipping them with practical, industry-aligned skills.
She also commended NLNG for its continued leadership in local content development, highlighting the company’s proactive approach to capacity building and its compliance with Nigerian Content directives.
Training Designed to Deliver Immediate Impact
The NCDMB and NLNG lauded OGTAN for its critical role in ensuring the training content reflects real industry needs, closing the gap between classroom theory and field performance. The curriculum is designed to ensure that trainees can begin adding value from day one in operational roles.
“This programme is not just about learning it’s about readiness to perform. It’s about building a future where Nigerian talent drives the most sophisticated energy projects in the world,” Ogbe said.
As the Train 7 Project nears completion, NLNG’s partnership with NCDMB is positioning a new generation of Nigerian professionals to play pivotal roles in commissioning, operations, and long-term plant sustainability, reinforcing the broader goal of national capacity building in the energy sector.
