No fewer than 850 technicians have undergone training under the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Seplat Energy Plc Joint Venture (JV) since the partnership began.
Mr Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, disclosed this on Wednesday during the graduation ceremony of the “Apprentice G13 Class’’ at the company’s Technical Training Centre (TTC) in Eket. Brown was represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Mr Samson Ezeugwuorie.
He said 49 technicians graduated in the latest batch, adding that several beneficiaries of the programme had risen to leadership positions across the energy industry—a legacy he described as worth celebrating.
The graduates specialised in four fields: Applied Instrumentation and Controls Technology; Applied Electrical Maintenance Technology; Applied Oil and Gas Technology; and Applied Mechanical Maintenance Technology.
Brown said the ceremony marked three major milestones for Seplat Energy, including the graduation of Apprentice Group 13 and the attainment of two million man-hours without a single recordable incident at Seplat Offshore.
He noted that the TTC was established on the belief that developing local talent and building a skilled technician pipeline would strengthen operational excellence and shape the future of Nigeria’s energy landscape. The centre, he added, has grown into a world-class institution and is recognised as the first City and Guilds Centre of Excellence globally.
According to him, the NNPC/Seplat JV remains committed to empowering young people for decent work and economic growth across host communities through signature youth-focused programmes.
“To our graduates, this moment belongs to you. You earned it through dedication and discipline,” he said. “You are entering a dynamic and competitive world, but you are ready—equipped not just with technical expertise, but with the values that define excellence.”
General Manager, Joint Venture Operations, Mr John Itsueli, congratulated the graduating class and expressed confidence that they would uphold the values of the training centre.
“We eagerly anticipate the contributions you will make as you shape the future of the oil and gas industry,” he said.
Itsueli also commended trainers, assessors, administrators and support teams for their role in sustaining the centre’s achievements.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Best Graduating Student, Mr Vincent Goodluck, expressed gratitude to all who supported their training journey and pledged that the G13 class would uphold the global standards for which the TTC is known.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was themed “From Roots to Results: Three Decades of Growth.”
