The Nigeria LNG Limited has graduated 331 young Nigerians from its Train 7 Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme, a statutory Nigerian Content requirement aimed at boosting the nation’s technical workforce and reducing reliance on expatriate labour.

The graduation ceremony, held on Monday in Port Harcourt, marked the completion of a year-long intensive training programme covering engineering and several technical disciplines linked to the $10bn Train 7 gas expansion project.

Speaking at the event, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the company’s investment in human capacity development was a deliberate business strategy targeted at Nigeria’s economic future.

“The most valuable of all capital is human capital. For us at NLNG, investing in people is not just corporate responsibility, it is a catalyst for a thriving economy and a sustainable future,” Horsfall stated.

She added that the Train 7 Human Capital Development Programme, mandated under the NOGICD Act 2010, remains a critical pillar of NLNG’s Nigerian Content Plan.

“From inception to date, Train 7 has created over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.

“It has also delivered more than 70 million safe man-hours without Lost Time Injury, while enabling massive technology transfer to Nigerians at all levels,” she said.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Felix Ogbe, described the scheme as a model for sustainable talent development in the oil and gas industry.

Represented by the NCDMB General Manager, Human Capital Development, Esueme Kikile, Ogbe said, “The HCD component of the Train 7 Project is a testament to the successful implementation of our Human Capital Development Guidelines, 2020.

“It is deliberately designed to secure a sustainable talent pipeline for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”

He noted that Train 7, one of Africa’s largest ongoing gas infrastructure projects, is reshaping Nigeria’s technical capacity landscape by producing young professionals equipped with advanced competencies.

The 331 graduating trainees, selected from 848 applicants via the NCDMB NOGIC JQS portal, underwent classroom instruction, industry certifications and hands-on exposure at a live LNG facility.

Their training covered engineering, ICT, marine and offshore services, welding and fabrication, non-destructive testing, quality management, facility maintenance, and HSE standards.

During the programme, NLNG also provided participants with mentorship, healthcare support, accommodation, feeding allowances and laptops with licensed software.

NLNG Train 7 Project Director, Ali Uwais, said the initiative was not only producing technicians but “globally competitive professionals.”

“This programme is not just about technical skills; it is about creating well-rounded professionals who can thrive in dynamic environments,”

Uwais said, urging the graduates to see themselves as future energy-sector leaders.

“The world is your oyster. Use these skills to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and national development.”

Uwais further disclosed that Train 7 is stimulating new industrial capacity nationwide. He cited the commissioning of a 10,000-ton-per-annum galvanising plant in Okrika, built by Daewoo Engineering, which has boosted Nigeria’s galvanising capacity to over 180,000 tons annually.

He added, “Train 7 is a blueprint for sustainable industrial growth.”