OGTAN Holds Second Annual International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos

The Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), in collaboration with Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has concluded arrangements to host its second annual international conference and exhibition dubbed “Human Capital Development: as a Driver for National Transformation”, billed to take place next month at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos from 13 to 16 of April, 2019.

OGTAN recognizes the link between the quality of a nation’s workforce and its economic growth, noting that an onslaught of complex and broad ranging socio-economic challenges including poor governance, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, outdated educational curriculum, poor funding of research centres, social unrest and increasing poverty, just to mention a few, have affected the Nigerian human capital over the years.

The training association, in identifying this gap shall assemble resource persons to deliberate on the solutions as it relates to generating sustainable employment with a direct impact on the country’s GDP.

While it admits the urgent need to address the widening debt profile of states and unemployment among Nigeria’s young population, OGTAN is also using this conference to address the rapid advancement of digitalization, automation, artificial intelligence, and how it compounds the increasing concern about the future of job security, wealth redistribution, and comparatively rising cost of implementing local content where these advancements are lacking.

His Excellency, General Yakubu Gowon (GCFR), the chairman of the occasion shall lead the discussants, comprising the honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu; the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr Simbi Wabote; and Dr Christopher Kolade.

Others include Mr Brent Omdahl, Commercial Counsellor US Consulate; Mr Emeka Okwuosa, MD Oilserv; Mr Pade Durotoye, MD Nigerdock; Mr Femi Omotayo, MD AOSOrwell; Prof Sunny Iyuke, Principal PTI; Mr Ifeanyi Nwagbogu, MD Schlumberger; Vice Chancellor of FUPRE, ABU and University of Ibadan; as well as representatives of the Ministry of Energy Gambia; Ghana’s Petroleum Commission and GOGSPA, among others.

Some past and present high ranking government officials, producing oil majors, multinational service companies’ executives, diplomats, and civil society groups are among distinguished guests expected at the conference.

The welcome and networking cocktail which is open to all delegates shall take place on the eve of the conference while distinguished individuals shall be decorated with awards.

Award categories include:

• “The Nigerian Oil & Gas Key Drivers Award” which goes to (i) the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu; (ii) the GMD NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru; and (iii) the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr Simbi Wabote for their various roles and quality of leadership in the oil and gas industry over the last 3years which has brought stability and innovation.
• “The Local Content Achievement Award” goes to Engr Ernest Nwapa, former Executive Secretary of NCDMB.
• “The Nigerian Content Project of the Year Award 2018” which goes to TOTAL Exploration and Production.

In line with improving the skill set to take on highly technical job roles and even ensure regional integration of Nigeria’s work force across West Africa, and other climes, OGTAN is introducing the short courses which will precede the conference. This year’s edition shall focus on Process Piping and Engineering Design; Managing Tax Issues; Tendering for Local Content Projects and Winning Bids.

The Young Professionals Forum is dedicated to young engineers, geoscientist and all categories of graduates and final year students from varying disciplines will run simultaneously. The focus for these youngsters getting facilitators to equip them on how surmount job interviews, and have handy soft skills that are quite necessary for new job placements and their future roles in the industry. 

There is also provision for exhibitors and visitors are enjoined to freely partake in the fair.

OGTAN is the independent umbrella group of training services providers in the oil and gas sector established by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in 2010, representing the Education and Training Sectorial Group of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF) under Section 58 of the NOGICD Act (2010), with the purpose to build local human capital capacity in the Nigerian oil and gas industry; and to act as a business group that interfaces with operators, international organizations and the Nigerian government.