Nigeria’s PTDF reveals a growing trend of losing scholars it sponsors for oil and gas training abroad due to lack of jobs in the local industry. The agency seeks stronger collaborations to retain talent and fill critical positions in the Nigerian oil sector.
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigeria's agency for developing the nation’s oil and gas industry workforce, has revealed that a significant number of scholars it sponsors for education abroad are staying in countries like the UK, US, and Canada. This trend has been attributed to the lack of employment opportunities in Nigeria's oil and gas sector, with many graduates unable to secure jobs in the industry upon returning. The PTDF has been sending Nigerians abroad for training in fields such as engineering, geological sciences, environmental studies, management, and health and safety. However, the agency’s Head of Overseas Scholarship Scheme, Mrs. Bolanle Kehinde-Agboola, highlighted the challenge of brain drain, which sees many returning scholars opting to stay abroad due to better opportunities.
The PTDF has now taken steps to strengthen collaborations with the oil and gas industry in Nigeria to ensure that returning scholars are employed in key positions. The scheme, which has sponsored over 8,000 students, aims to bridge the human capital gap in Nigeria’s energy sector. Kehinde-Agboola stressed the importance of creating jobs for these well-trained professionals, suggesting that more partnerships with industry stakeholders are essential for keeping Nigerian talent within the country. Furthermore, the program has been recognized for fostering a multidisciplinary approach to the sector, emphasizing the need for engineers, policy experts, and digital innovators to complement traditional oil and gas expertise.
Students and stakeholders at a recent PTDF sensitization program in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, praised the initiative for its role in strengthening Nigeria’s workforce. While the challenge of retaining these scholars remains, the PTDF is focused on providing the tools for the next generation of oil and gas professionals to innovate and help propel Nigeria's energy sector forward.
