One hundred Nigerian graduates have commenced a joint Graduate Internship Programme sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Renaissance Africa Energy Company (RAEC) Limited, and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).
The initiative, tagged the 2025/2027 NCDMB/PETAN/Renaissance Graduate Internship Programme, seeks to equip young Nigerians with practical skills and professional exposure in the oil and gas industry.
The interns, drawn from various disciplines including engineering, geology, ICT, and the natural sciences, will be deployed to PETAN member companies for structured, industry-focused training designed to promote innovation and operational excellence.
In a statement signed by Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager, Corporate Communications, Renaissance Africa Energy, the programme was described as a landmark collaboration aimed at advancing human capacity development and local content in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The statement reads partly: “The initiative represents a strategic contribution to the national effort toward deepening human capacity development and promoting sustainable local participation within Nigeria’s energy value chain.
“While infrastructure and asset ownership are essential, human capacity development stands as the cornerstone of the NCDMB’s mandate, and the Board will continue to support initiatives that promote knowledge transfer, skill enhancement, and capacity retention within the country.
“We commend Renaissance Africa Energy and PETAN for sustaining this laudable programme, which began under the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and for their continued alignment with the national content development agenda.
“The interns represent the next generation of professionals who will sustain Nigeria’s energy future, and the skills and values they build through this programme will become integral to the country’s strategic human capital asset.”
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, who was represented by the General Manager, Human Capacity Development (HCD), Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq., said the programme demonstrates the agency’s commitment to nurturing local talent for a globally competitive energy industry.
He emphasised that the Board’s vision is anchored on “a technologically advanced Nigerian energy industry driven by robust local participation.”
Speaking further, representatives of PETAN, Dr. Okey Ukaegbu and Mr. Chinedu Maduaku, highlighted that the interns deployed across PETAN member companies would contribute to enhancing operational standards and innovation within the industry.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Kene Akubue, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Renaissance Africa Energy, described the partnership as a symbol of progressive transformation within the oil and gas sector.
He added that Renaissance would remain committed to promoting indigenous participation and developing local capacity as part of Nigeria’s sustainable energy growth agenda.
