Research Crucial To Solving Oil, Gas Sector Challenges

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has stressed the need for industry-driven research and targeted capacity building in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

During an inspection of the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna, PENGASSAN president, Festus Osifo, said the institution’s academic and training programmes could close the country’s skill gaps if properly harnessed.

Osifo noted that the college, set up under the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), offers both postgraduate degrees and professional short courses designed to meet current industry demands.

He described the facilities as world-class, emphasising that the equipment and laboratories at the Kaduna College rival those of top global institutions.

“Our appeal to management is to maintain these facilities so they remain state-of-the-art for decades. PTDF has always been known for excellence, so what we have seen here is not surprising,” he said.

Osifo urged oil companies and other stakeholders to partner with the college, stating that research focus must address practical industry challenges.

“PhD students should carry out research in areas that directly impact the Nigerian oil and gas industry—such as oil theft, environmental degradation and technological innovation. The results should be easy for the industry to adopt and implement.

That is how it works globally. Silicon Valley thrives because of universities supplying human capital and solutions to real-world problems,” he said.

Osifo noted that the college should serve as a hub of innovation for the industry.

“We want research that addresses today’s challenges, not outdated ideas. PTDF has a track record of producing graduates who make real contributions. This college should become the centre of excellence for oil and gas human capital development,” he said.

The executive secretary of the college, Ahmed Galadima, highlighted PTDF’s long record of training Nigerians for leadership roles in the industry.

“We have trained about 15,000 Nigerians over the past 20 years. Many occupy senior positions in Shell, Mobil and other companies. Some are active in research and have helped develop 11 patents to solve industry problems,” he said.

He disclosed that demand for admission has been overwhelming.

“For the PhD programme, about 12,000 applied, and only 45 of the best were selected. For master’s, we received 14,000 applications and admitted about 250. The first set is scheduled to begin by September,” he added.