By Danjuma Amodu | January 24, 2026
The Nigerian government has unveiled a new workforce development strategy for the energy sector, prioritising structured and outcome-driven training models that align with institutions demonstrating strong industry relevance and academic excellence.
The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri in a statement on his X handle, disclosed that this move aims to build a pipeline of expertise capable of supporting a more competitive, efficient, and future-ready energy sector. The Minister, accompanied by the PTDF Executive Secretary and stakeholders visited Universiti Malaya to engage with sponsored scholars and review the institutional partnership.
Heineken explained that this new strategy involves collaborations with top institutions, including Universiti Malaya, to provide industry-focused skills transfer and practical training. The initiative includes the launch of the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), which will offer a split-site programme combining local capacity building with international exposure.
The programme mirrors similar arrangements with three universities in the UK and is expected to support sector transformation. Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, is committed to driving sustained growth in the energy sector, recognising it as a key pathway to economic expansion, revenue optimization, and national development. He added.
The move has been praised by social media users, with Duke of Bourdilion describing it as a “clear forward-thinking strategy” and Amirah applauding the partnership as a “great move.”
The CPESK split-site programme and strengthened global collaborations reflect Nigeria’s commitment to building a competitive, future-ready energy workforce.
