CSOs Urge PTDF To End Foreign Training

The Civil Society Organisations on Community Development and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI) has urged the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to end foreign training in favour of homegrown capacity-building initiatives.

It, however, commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for surpassing revenue targets and promoting transparency in its operations.
In a statement issued after its management review meeting in Abuja, CSCHEI praised the NUPRC for exceeding its 2024 revenue target by generating N12.25 trillion, almost double the projected N6.93 trillion.

To the PPTDF, CSCHEI advised the agency to transition from expensive foreign training programmes to localised, value-driven capacity development initiatives.

The group’s call comes amid a federal government directive to minimise foreign scholarships and training costs across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

“We strongly recommend that PTDF develop a homegrown capacity-building template that not only saves cost but is tailored to Nigeria’s unique economic and technological needs,” Haruna said. “Local content must go beyond policy—it must reflect in human capital development.”

Additionally, CSCHEI urged the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to strengthen its Monitoring and Evaluation departThe group also aligned itself with a recent advisory report by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). It lauded the commission’s transparency and procedural integrity in managing the 2022–2023 mini bid and 2024 licensing rounds.
“The inclusivity, professionalism, and adherence to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provisions in the NUPRC’s licensing processes represent a model of administrative excellence,” said Danladi. Haruna, director of new media and communication at CSCHEI.

However, the group urged the NUPRC to improve its community engagement strategies and direct International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria to increase their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in host communities.

“As CSOs and CBOs, we are watchdogs of governance and development. Our role is to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society are not left behind,” Haruna noted.

The organisation reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement, particularly in the extractive sector and education-related development.

CSCHEI also used the opportunity to encourage Nigerians to support accredited civil society and community-based organisations in their ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic governance, social justice, and institutional trust across the country.