…inaugurates first student branch of NGA in UniPort

Oredola Adeola

The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has embarked on an intensive lobbying effort focusing on undergraduates of Petroleum and Gas Engineering to drive the goal of sustainable gas utilisation and address the human capital challenges facing the “Decade of Gas” initiative.

Taji Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NGA, made this known during the inauguration of the first student branch of the association at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) recently.

According to him, the trajectory of the industry at the moment is tilting towards gas utilisation and there is need to build human capacity to sustain it.

According to him, experts have identified that human capital is going to be a problem somewhere along the line as the nation is trying to achieve its decade of gas objectives.

He said, “So we have to start gingering, encouraging and equipping the people who are already well-positioned to fill that gap right now.

“The president of the Association, Akachukwu Nwokedi who is the General Council and Company secretary of Nigeria LNG is very passionate about grassroot development.

“Grassroot for our association now means the students level and how the association can begin to impart them at this stage. And also help to guide their pathway. Because we do know that from our position in the industry that the trajectory of the industry at the moment is going tilting towards gas utilisation. We do know that we are in the decade of Gas currently.

“We hope that this as the pilot will be quite successful and will be able to replicate such in other tertiary institutions.”

Fashola Adeyemi, NGA’s Youth Liaison and Programme Analysis Advisor, on his part revealed that the establishment of the student chapter of the association is a testament to their commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders in the gas industry.

Adeyemi therefore noted that the inauguration of student chapters in all higher institutions across Nigeria by NGA is aimed at providing a platform for undergraduates to engage with industry professionals, gain practical insights, and explore career opportunities within the sector.

He said, “At Nigerian Gas Association, we recognize the importance of nurturing young talent and fostering innovation. Through initiatives like our student chapter, we aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the gas sector.

“Collaborating with the University of Port Harcourt has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.”

Meanwhile, Oluwaseyi Adeyinu, the President of the student chapter of NGA in UNIPORT, expressed joy at the initiative by the mother body to incorporate them.

“The organisation was founded in 1999 to focus on gas utilisation in the country. Their sole aim is to drive gas as the primary energy source in Nigeria. And we students are a very big factor in making that a reality, hence the inauguration of the student chapter.

“We have plans to work with the NGA national body to make people to know about the influence of gas in our everyday activities because Nigeria is a gas province.

“It is disappointing to know that we are not utilising our gas reserve. We will work with NGA in capacity building. With NGA network, it will help students work with some companies via internships. NGA is bringing us closer to the industry,” President of the student chapter of NGA in UNIPORT said.