The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) is proposing an 18-month industry-focused academy to equip young professionals with practical skills and reduce the gap between academic training and workforce requirements in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The proposal was unveiled at the NAPE Academy Establishment Workshop held in Lagos on Thursday, where industry stakeholders, regulators and educational institutions discussed the structure and implementation of the academy.
NAPE President, Olajumoke Ajayi, said the initiative was designed to develop a workforce capable of meeting the changing technical and professional demands of the energy industry.
Ajayi said the academy would provide participants with the knowledge, skills and industry exposure required to remain relevant as the energy sector evolves.
“The NAPE Academy is a strategic investment in the future of our industry. We must equip the next generation with the knowledge, skills and exposure required to navigate the changing energy landscape,” she said.
Presenting the proposed framework, NAPE Academy Planning Committee Chairman, Nedo Osayande, said the 18-month programme would combine technical training, professional certification and opportunities for postgraduate academic advancement.
He said the programme was specifically designed to address the disconnect between classroom learning and the practical skills employers require.
“The focus is to bridge the gap between what is taught in the classroom and what the industry requires. We want participants to graduate with practical knowledge and skills that will make them immediately relevant to the energy industry,” Osayande said.
The proposed academy is expected to provide structured industry-focused training for prospective energy professionals, with its framework covering curriculum, admission requirements, infrastructure, equipment and other requirements for professional development.
NAPE said collaboration between industry, government and academia would be critical to developing the academy and ensuring that its training responds to actual workforce needs.
Ajayi said the association could not develop the future workforce alone and called for sustained support from industry operators, government agencies, educational institutions and development partners.
“We cannot shape the future workforce alone. It requires the collective commitment of industry, government, academia and development partners. This is why collaboration is central to the NAPE Academy,” she said.
Representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, FIRST Exploration and Production, Petroleum Technology Development Fund and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board participated in the workshop.
The stakeholders also held breakout sessions on curriculum, funding, location and governance, producing recommendations expected to guide the next stage of the academy’s development.
NAPE said the proposed institution would ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s energy workforce by giving young professionals the practical technical knowledge and industry exposure needed to improve their employability and contribute to the sector’s growth.
