A total of 100 young Nigerian graduates from various academic backgrounds have commenced a Graduate Internship Programme jointly sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Renaissance Africa Energy Company (RAEC) Limited, and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).
The initiative, titled the 2025/2027 NCDMB/PETAN/Renaissance Graduate Internship Programme, was formally launched on Thursday at the Renaissance Residential Area Club Hall in Port Harcourt. It is designed to equip participants with critical skills, practical experience, and industry exposure in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
The interns, drawn from disciplines including engineering, geology, ICT, and the natural sciences, will be deployed to PETAN member companies for structured, hands-on, and industry-relevant training.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the programme as a strategic investment in human capital development and a key pillar in achieving sustainable local participation in Nigeria’s energy value chain.
“While infrastructure and asset ownership are essential, human capacity development stands as the cornerstone of our mandate,” Engr. Ogbe said, in remarks delivered on his behalf by Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq., General Manager, Human Capacity Development (HCD).
“The Board remains resolute in its vision of a globally competitive and technologically advanced Nigerian energy industry anchored on robust local participation.”
he NCDMB boss commended Renaissance Africa Energy (formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company) and PETAN for sustaining the programme — originally initiated by SPDC — and for aligning with the national content development agenda through continued investment in youth empowerment and professional training.
He urged the interns to embrace the opportunity with diligence, discipline, and a commitment to excellence, emphasizing that they represent “the next generation of professionals who will sustain Nigeria’s energy future.”
In a joint presentation, Dr. Okey Ukaegbu and Mr. Chinedu Maduaku of PETAN outlined the objectives and expected outcomes of the initiative, noting that interns placed within PETAN member companies are expected to drive innovation, efficiency, and operational excellence in their host organizations.
Also speaking, Mr. Kene Akubue, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development (NCD) at Renaissance Africa Energy, said the collaboration between the three organizations represents a progressive model for capacity building in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
“This partnership underscores our collective resolve to deepen indigenous participation and build the human capital needed to sustain the sector’s growth,” Akubue stated, reaffirming Renaissance’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment through training and mentorship.
A statement issued by Obinna Ezeobi,
General Manager, Corporate Communications, NCDMB explained that the event concluded with a charge to participants to act as ambassadors of Nigeria’s evolving energy industry and to make the most of the learning opportunities available throughout the two-year programme.
