The Board unveiled the initiative on Tuesday during a sensitization workshop organised for members of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Infrastructure and Capacity Building Directorate, Barr. Sheba Olugbenga, said the certification programme was designed to establish a structured framework for trainer accreditation and ensure that workforce development within the industry is driven by qualified and competent professionals.
He explained that the quality of human capital available to the oil and gas sector depends largely on the competence of those responsible for training and developing industry personnel, making the initiative a vital component of sustainable Nigerian Content development.
According to him, rapid technological advancements, emerging innovations, and changing operational requirements across the oil and gas value chain have increased the need for a more strategic, standardised, and sustainable approach to capacity development within the country.
“The constantly changing services and requirements in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors, driven by technological advancements and smart innovations, have created the need for strategic and sustainable in-country capacity development and standardization,” he said.
Ogbe noted that the introduction of the Nigerian Content Trainers Registration Certificate would help promote quality assurance in training delivery while ensuring that trainers possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to support industry growth.
During an interactive session with participants, the Director of Capacity Building at NCDMB, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, cautioned prospective applicants against dealing with individuals or organisations claiming they could facilitate or accelerate the certification process.
He stressed that the registration exercise is completely free and urged trainers to apply directly through approved channels to avoid falling victim to fraudsters and unauthorized intermediaries.
Bamidele also disclosed that the Board is working to integrate selected training tools and course templates into the curriculum of the Nigerian Content Academy (NCA), NCDMB’s knowledge-sharing and capacity development platform.
According to him, the initiative is expected to support service companies and operators in delivering specialised training programmes that meet industry requirements and enhance workforce competence.
He commended OGTAN for maintaining a productive relationship with the Board over the years, particularly through its contributions to graduate employability programmes and training needs assessments that helped shape the trainer certification framework.
The Nigerian Content Trainers Registration Certificate will be issued across eleven areas of specialization covering both technical and non-technical competencies relevant to the oil and gas industry.
NCDMB said the sensitization workshop forms part of its broader strategy to improve training quality, strengthen operational readiness, and promote professionalism across Nigeria’s local content ecosystem.
The Board expressed confidence that the certification programme would play a significant role in developing a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of the oil and gas industry while supporting the long-term objectives of the Nigerian Content policy.
