The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has raised the alarm over looming manpower shortages, which threatens the sustainability and competitiveness of the country’s energy sector.
NUPRC warned that without urgent investment in developing the next-generation of energy professionals, Nigeria’s long-term energy security could be compromised.
Commission Chief Executive (CCE), Gbenga Komolafe, gave the warning at the 48th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE 2025), organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Lagos.
Komolafe challenged professional bodies and industry stakeholders, including the SPE, to confront the widening talent gap in the oil and gas sector.
He described human capital as “the most valuable asset of our industry,” stressing that the future of Nigeria’s upstream sector hinges on targeted capacity-building, especially among young professionals.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources and Policy,” Komolafe said the sector is at a crossroads, caught between the pressures of energy transition, dwindling investment, and the urgent need to ramp up domestic production.
