We can buy technology, but we must produce the people - OGTAN President

On the sidelines of the landmark 10th-anniversary edition of the Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), the President of Oil & Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), Chris Osarumwense, spoke with NewsDirect about the critical intersection of human capital, emerging technology, and the federal government’s ambitious production targets. Excerpts

We are currently at the 10th-anniversary edition of SAIPEC of which OGTAN is a key partner. How does it feel to be part of this milestone event?

Extremely excited. This being the 10th year means this platform has held steady for a decade. We’ve seen its transition from its first toddler steps to what it is now, one of the foremost oil and gas conferences in Sub-Saharan Africa. It brings together over 20 countries and all the key stakeholders from government regulators and IOCs to the IPPG group. It’s a vital space for networking, finding business solutions, and fostering regional cooperation.

OGTAN has over the years partnered with PETAN for SAIPEC events, what is your primary focus this year?

Our focus is primarily on human capacity development. We are here to achieve two things, first, to understand the current industry needs regarding human capital; and second, to share insights and learn from what others are doing to address their own requirements. It’s an opportunity to showcase how OGTAN is accelerating capacity building to meet global standards.

Speaking of capacity, the President recently issued executive orders on local content aimed at reducing contracting cycles and ramping up production. What role do you see OGTAN members playing in translating these policies into visible action?

If you ask any Chief Executive what the biggest risk to their production targets is, they will tell you it’s people. You need people with the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver. If we are going to meet the President’s mandate to raise production to 2 million barrels per day, human capital is the most critical factor. We can buy technology or equipment, but we must produce the people. We have to train them in the right areas so they have the competence to operate, maintain, and expand both brownfields and greenfields.

From your point of view, what specific skills do you think are currently underdeveloped or lacking in the sector?

There are shortages in subsurface engineering, but the more significant issue is the transgenerational gap. We are seeing a perfect storm of three factors. The big international companies that used to train Nigerians are migrating or changing their models, experienced Nigerians are retiring, and the younger generation isn't quite ready to take the baton yet. Also, Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally changing operations. We need a new set of skills to operate in an AI-driven environment, and we don't have enough of those skills in-house yet. All of this must be factored into our training to ensure we have field-ready professionals.

You highlighted the problem of a transgenerational gap. How can we realistically bridge it given Nigeria's ambitious timelines?

In this regard for example, the IPPG (Independent Petroleum Producers Group) is stepping up. As indigenous companies take over assets, they must also take over the mandate to train. OGTAN facilitates this through two dimensions: Classroom training for the theoretical foundation (geology, petroleum engineering, etc.) and On-the-job training. You can’t become a skilled professional through theory alone, you need the practical environment to test that knowledge.

Finally, companies complain about brain drain or low retention after investing heavily in training. How do you view the issue of attrition?

At OGTAN, we have a specific philosophy, we want people who are happy to stay, but capable of going. We don’t want employees to feel like prisoners. We train you so that you are world-class. You stay with us because you value our policies and the challenges we offer, not because you lack options. While we keep a close eye on our top talents to ensure they are well-accommodated, a bit of movement in the industry actually stimulates the system.