By SSA Communication
Published by Alphapressmedia
The Bauchi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning the state as a key player in Nigeria’s emerging oil and gas industry, with the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri now over 60 percent complete and on course to produce internationally certified professionals for the global energy market.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the project by members of the Government House Press Crew, led by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, the Commissioner for Natural Resources described the academy as a strategic investment in human capital development designed to unlock the immense opportunities created by the discovery of oil and gas in the Kolmani Oil Field along the Bauchi–Gombe border.
According to him, the academy was established to ensure that Bauchi State and Nigeria at large develop a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the rapidly evolving energy sector.
He disclosed that construction of the academy, which was flagged off on 17 May 2025, is progressing steadily, with all 16 planned structures currently under construction and most already exceeding 60 percent completion.
The commissioner further revealed that the academy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a renowned training institution in Texas, United States, to provide internationally recognised oil and gas training. The partnership, he said, will enable graduates of the academy to obtain globally accepted certifications, making them competitive for employment with leading oil and gas companies in Nigeria and across the world.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Communication commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for conceiving what he described as a visionary legacy project that will create lasting economic opportunities for young people.
He explained that the media tour was organised to provide journalists and other media practitioners with firsthand information on the progress of the project, urging them to accurately showcase the government’s investments in expanding Bauchi State’s economic potential through strategic infrastructure and human capital development.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado, said the inspection was aimed at giving journalists and media stakeholders an opportunity to independently assess the level of work executed at the site.
He described the academy as a transformative investment that will not only strengthen the state’s participation in the oil and gas industry but also serve as a centre of excellence for technical and professional training, producing graduates capable of competing in the global energy workforce.
The inspection team included the Senior Special Assistant on Communications to the Governor, the Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, the Chief Press Secretary to the First Lady, the Director of Press Affairs, members of the Government House Press Crew, social media content creators, as well as representatives of the Office of the State Auditor-General and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, which is supervising the project.
Members of the delegation expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, describing the academy as a landmark project that reflects the Bala Mohammed administration’s commitment to economic diversification, youth empowerment and sustainable development.
When completed, the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy is expected to become one of Nigeria’s leading centres for specialised oil and gas training, providing young Nigerians with the technical expertise and internationally recognised qualifications required to compete successfully in the global energy industry.
