Issues and Challenges of Developing Human Assets for the West African Oil & Gas Industry

Gabriel Falade
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

This paper uses "Force Field" analysis framework to examine the case for the Development of local professionals as National Assets for the Oil and Gas Industry within the West Africa Sub region.

The framework identifies significant drivers that could propel a successful national objective, as well as the barriers that must be overcome. Prominent among these are the lack of effective Institutional framework (a barrier) while the existence of large, diverse active minded population could be a positive driver.

Specifically, issues relating to the creation of and/or invigorating ,existing institutional framework, and a well conceived and coordinated development strategy for running an effective management of available Human and Material Resources are articulated. Special consideration is given to the building of the essential critical mass required as reference points for sustainable professional expertise development. There is a crying need to reexamine our posture towards the re-engineering of our knowledge transfer centers, especially the University system, and the need to ensure that University Industry relations is seamless. This will ensure efficient use of these Centers as knowledge-based support for Industry Operations.

The paper concludes that the future of the Country and the Nigerian Petroleum Industry remain bright but the political will to "horn" deliverables from the industry as tools for National Development may well be the major policy thrust of the Country in the near future.