PTDF: Human Capital Key to Energy Security, FG’s $1tn Economy

Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has identified human capital development as critical to strengthening Nigeria’s energy security and achieving the federal government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Prof. Shu’aibu Aliyu, stated this while delivering the keynote address at the 5th PENGASSAN Petroleum and Energy Labour Summit (PEALS) 2026, held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The summit was themed: “Energy Security and Human Capital: Building the Workforce Nigeria Needs for Sustainable Energy Development.”

Aliyu said continuous training and investment in human capital were fundamental to the effective functioning of the energy sector, noting that operations, regulation and other critical areas required a workforce with the appropriate skills and competencies.

He called for sustained investment in developing a skilled, adaptable and future-ready workforce capable of responding to the changing demands of Nigeria’s energy industry.

According to him, strengthening the capacity of workers was essential not only to the effective operation of the energy sector but also to the country’s broader economic development objectives.

The PTDF executive secretary also reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and other stakeholders to ensure that human capital development initiatives remained responsive to the needs of the industry.

Aliyu stressed that investment in Nigeria’s people was central to the country’s ability to achieve sustainable development and its economic ambitions and urged stakeholders to renew their commitment to building the workforce required to support Nigeria’s energy future.

“Let us commit today to investing in our people, for when we build the workforce, we build the nation,” he said.