By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has expressed concern over the widening skills gap in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector, particularly among geologists, due to years of reduced exploration activities.
The Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, stated this during a meeting with representatives of Robert Gordon University at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
Eyesan explained that the decline in exploration activities before the current administration contributed significantly to the shortage of skilled professionals in the sector.
According to her, geologists were among the worst affected by the downturn in upstream operations.
She, however, noted that the situation was improving following renewed investor confidence triggered by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The renewed interest in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is beginning to drive exploration activities again,” she said.
In her remarks, the Vice Principal for Partnerships at Robert Gordon University, Donella Beaton, said the institution was interested in strengthening higher education partnerships across Africa.
Beaton added that the visit formed part of efforts to deepen collaboration in education, research and capacity development.
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