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By Tracy Moses
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Oil), has commenced the construction of the permanent campus of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, Alkaleri (BOGAA), marking a major stride in the drive to boost local capacity in the energy sector.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, praised the Bauchi State Government for initiating the project, noting that it complements the Federal Government’s focus on human capital development in the oil and gas industry.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, Senator Lokpobiri reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to optimize all viable oil assets, including the renewal of key licenses for the Kolmani Integrated Development Projects.
“Our mandate is to harness every available productive oil platform for the nation’s economic advancement,” he said, aligning the Academy’s vision with President Tinubu’s broader agenda of leveraging the energy sector for industrial growth, employment generation, and enhanced national income.
The Minister commended Bauchi State’s commitment to the Academy, describing it as a strategic step toward producing the skilled workforce required for the sector’s sustainable progress. He also lauded the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for its role in supporting technological advancement and human resource development, expressing optimism about future collaboration between PTDF and BOGAA.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its financial backing, disclosing that N17 billion has been approved for oil exploration and the Academy project, with N6 billion specifically allocated for the construction of the Academy.
Governor Mohammed described the Academy as a vital institution for vocational training, innovation, and youth empowerment that will positively impact both the state and the nation. He called on residents and host communities to cooperate with contractors to ensure timely delivery of the project.
Conceived in 2021 following the discovery of commercial oil and gas reserves in the Kolmani region, the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy aims to equip youths with the technical skills required to support exploration and other activities within Nigeria’s evolving energy sector.