Developing Human Assets and Knowledge Management: Preparing Professionals for the Oil Industry in West Africa

Enife F. Atobiloye
Nigeria, N/A, Nigeria

"Worrisome" almost precisely describes the statistics surrounding the budding Talents required to harness the vast Oil Resources which West Africa is adorned with.

These Resources have greatly defined the tone of economies. Similarly, huge potentials lie untapped in its Human Resources. Historically and currently, the need for foreign expertise has been inseparable from success in exploiting these Oil Resources, but at what cost?

An educational/professional continuum exists and for most Oil Industry professionals learning begins at a post graduate level.

With rapidly developing technologies being deployed in the Industry, it is getting progressively crucial for "up-to-speed" professionals to fill the productivity gaps that consequently emerge.

Sustaining the growth in this sector becomes a challenge demanding the systematic and committed approach of all stakeholders. "If', "how" and "when" this is addressed will determine its preceding sequence; whether into detrimental skills gaps or seamless running solutions.

This paper adopts an incisive analysis of the state of affairs with emerging Oil & Gas professionals in different scenarios within West Africa. It loosely postulates possible solutions for timely harnessing, developing and utilizing Human assets in winning models for all the stakeholders by addressing key issues like:

-Timely exposure of Human Assets to opportunities available in the Industry, consequently informing their choice of profession.

- Enriching studies in relevant institutions: practical industry focused training.

- Enhancing Post-graduate knowledge development.

- Creating opportunities; beyond the traditional.

- Capacity building by stakeholders: Industry, Academia and Government.