Prof Omonigho Warns Oil, Gas Workers Must Go Beyond Technical Skills
An engineering scholar and industry expert, Professor Omonigho B. Otanocha, has called for a fundamental transformation of Nigeria’s oil and gas workforce, urging industry stakeholders to prioritise digitalisation, decarbonisation, ethical leadership and policy literacy in preparing professionals for the future.
Otanocha, a member of national institute (mni) made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Human Capital Development Conference of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), held at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State.
Speaking on the theme, “The Future Workforce – Digitalisation and Decarbonisation: What the Next Decade of Nigerian Oil and Gas Demands of Its People, Beyond the Technical,” the professor described digitalisation and decarbonisation as existential imperatives rather than optional choices for the industry.
He stressed that the next decade would require a workforce that is agile, technologically competent, ethically grounded and capable of systems thinking, adding that technical competence alone would no longer be sufficient to drive sustainable growth in the sector.
According to him, Nigeria’s ambition to industrialise and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060 will depend largely on investment in human capital capable of driving innovation, supporting indigenous participation and implementing the country’s energy transition agenda.
Otanocha advocated structured mentorship programmes to facilitate knowledge transfer between experienced professionals and younger engineers, arguing that mentoring should extend beyond technical expertise to include ethics, sustainability and leadership.
He also urged stronger collaboration among universities, industry and government through the Triple Helix model, saying academic institutions must evolve from degree-awarding centres into innovation hubs that support experiential learning, research and industry-driven solutions.
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The engineering expert further called for expanded Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach programmes and innovation boot camps to equip young Nigerians with skills in artificial intelligence, robotics, coding, renewable energy and emissions reduction technologies.
He emphasised that such programmes should be extended to underserved rural communities to ensure equitable access to opportunities in the country’s evolving energy sector.
On gender inclusion, Otanocha urged the oil and gas industry to deliberately remove barriers preventing women from occupying technical and leadership positions, describing gender diversity as a strategic requirement for innovation rather than a social obligation.
He also advocated stronger community engagement, arguing that host communities should become active development partners through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship support and renewable energy projects rather than remaining passive beneficiaries of oil and gas operations.
The keynote speaker stressed the need for coordinated stakeholder management involving government, academia, industry and host communities to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies and decarbonisation initiatives.
According to him, policy alignment with international sustainability frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, would help create a regulatory environment that encourages innovation and attracts investment.
Otanocha also highlighted emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, additive manufacturing and carbon capture systems as critical tools for improving operational efficiency and reducing carbon emissions across Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.
He, however, maintained that technological advancement must be complemented by ethical consciousness, policy literacy, communication skills and effective leadership to ensure long-term sustainability.
He concluded that the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry would ultimately depend on people rather than machines, urging stakeholders to invest in mentorship, inclusivity, community engagement and strategic collaboration to build a resilient and globally competitive workforce.
“The oil and gas industry’s future will not be secured by machines alone. It will be secured by people—empowered, enlightened and ethically driven,” he said, calling on academia, industry and government to work together in driving sustainable transformation of the sector.
By PRNigeria
