Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)says it will officially roll-out the Nigerian Content Trainers Registration Certificate (NCTRC) in July 2026.
The Board has also called on the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) to make appropriate input as it strives to create and sustain a highly skilled and globally competitive workforce as well as sound professional standards in the ever-evolving oil and gas industry.
The NCTRC, designed for 11 industry-relevant areas of specialisation, encompassing both technical and soft-skill competencies, is the latest initiative of the NCDMB to institute a definitive framework for trainer certification that reserves human capacity development (HCD) programmes for only resource persons with the requisite academic qualifications, technical background and professional grounding.
In an address at the “Sensitization Workshop on the Deployment of the New Nigerian Content Trainer Registration Certificate (NCTRC)” in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Director, Capacity Building Directorate (CBD) of the NCDMB, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, said the Board was delighted to create the forum for direct interaction with members of OGTAN for whom the new certification regime is intended.
“We want to connect and to understand concerns of OGTAN members,” he explained, adding, “We want to provide a fair platform for all trainers.” According to the Capacity Building boss, “Less than 10 per cent of members [of OGTAN] are getting opportunities [for HCD],” a situation he noted was unsatisfactory to the Management of the NCDMB, given that the trainers have invested in facilities or faculties.
He said OGTAN has been highly dependable in workforce development for the oil and gas industry and that the Board desires the input of its members in the articulation of the framework undergirding the NCTRC, which he revealed would be launched in July 2026.
Earlier in a welcome address, the General Manager, Infrastructure, in the NCDMB, Barr. Olugbenga Ashafa described human capacity development as invaluable in the oil and gas industry “in view of the in-country capacity gaps in terms of local skilled manpower, availability of standardized training facilities, and the need to make service delivery in the industry competitive and sustainable.”
According to him, “The NCTRC is expected to drive sustainable investment in training facilities, optimal utilization of local capacities and capabilities, maximization of opportunities, value addition, and retention of industry spend.” The goal of the Board, he stated, is to standardize and certify trainers to ensure that only qualified, competent professionals drive human capacity development.
His charge to the trainers at the workshop was, “Understand the framework, share your perspectives, and help us refine the process,” pointing out that their input would definitely impact how the Board would implement NCTRC nationwide.
In an “Overview, Guidelines and Requirement of the Nigerian Content Trainer Registration Certificate,” Mr. Salim Musa, a supervisor in NCDMB’s Standard Bidding Document (SBD) Team, provided critically important information on eligibility and the application process as well as benefits of the certification regime.
His presentation was followed by a live demonstration of the NCTRC application process by the Project Lead, Vascon Solutions, Mrs. Abosede Oladejo. She began with a brief explanation of what the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGIC JQS) is, and its importance to service companies seeking to do business in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. She then proceeded to provide practical guidance on the application process.
Pressured by the audience for clarification, she had to display a sample of the NCTRC and to explain its different features. Questions on Accreditation, ISO and other related matters received appropriate answers and illustrations from Oladejo and OGTAN Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi, OGTAN Vice President Engr. Steve Osuoha, and ICON Lifting and Rigging Inspections Chief Executive Officer Chief David Erae.
For his own input on the NCTRC, Dr. Alex Umahi, Chief Executive Officer of Oilskills Onshore and Offshore Ltd., suggested that the certificate validity be extended to three years instead of two, given the rigorous processes involved in obtaining it. In a vote of thanks, OGTAN BOT Chairman Mazi Onyechi commended the NCDMB for its dedication to the promotion of standards and professionalism in the oil and gas industry, while urging members of the OGTAN to take more interest in the affairs of the organization. Representatives of 52 training organisations attended the workshop, which held at Golden Tulip Hotel, Evo Road, GRA II, Port Harcourt.