Skills Shortage Threatens Upstream Recovery Amid Renewed Exploration, NUPRC Warns

The chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, warned that a skills shortage threatens the country’s upstream oil and gas recovery even as exploration activity picks up.

Speaking during a visit to the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja by representatives of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Eyesan said the skills deficit stems partly from reduced exploration activity before the current administration, which eroded technical depth in areas such as geology.

“The industry has experienced a reduction in technical depth and opportunities in certain critical areas,” she said, adding that while long-term plans exist for broader capacity development, immediate action is needed to rebuild human capital.

Eyesan credited the passing of the Petroleum Industry Act and President Bola Tinubu’s business‑friendly initiatives with renewed investor interest and an uptick in exploration.

But she cautioned that investment and technology transfer will not deliver their full benefits unless Nigeria simultaneously addresses human capital, financial capital and technology needs.

“We must deliberately build a workforce that is fit for purpose and capable of meeting the technical demands of the evolving industry,” Eyesan said.

She also flagged a persistent disconnect between academia and industry and urged coordinated efforts among industry players, universities, regulators and technology providers to accelerate progress.

The vice principal, Partnerships at Robert Gordon University, Donella Beaton, said the visit reflected the institution’s strong interest in strengthening higher‑education partnerships across Africa.

She highlighted opportunities for collaboration on knowledge exchange, research development and capacity building, noting the university’s Energy Transition Institute as a hub for work on sustainability, energy innovation and transition planning.

“Importantly, the goal is not only creating academic programmes, but developing practical, industry‑focused initiatives that deliver real impact and technical value,” Beaton said.

Eyesan and the visiting delegation signalled a shared view that immediate, coordinated investment in skills development is essential if Nigeria is to fully capitalise on the current resurgence in upstream exploration.