Craigwal Petroshore, NNPC Partner to Train Oil Professionals on Safety Practices

Craigwal Petroshore, in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has launched an intensive training programme aimed at enhancing safety standards in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The initiative, which brings together industry experts, regulators, and professionals, is designed to address persistent concerns about workplace safety, environmental protection, and compliance with international best practices across petroleum operations.

The collaboration comes at a time when safety lapses in the sector have drawn heightened scrutiny, particularly with increasing emphasis on sustainable energy practices and the need to reduce risks associated with exploration, refining, and transportation. The oil and gas industry, which contributes the largest share of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, has long faced criticism over accidents, equipment failures, oil spills, and fire outbreaks that not only threaten workers’ lives but also damage host communities and the environment.

Speaking at the training’s opening session, representatives of Craigwal Petroshore explained that the programme is structured to improve technical competence while instilling a stronger safety culture among oil professionals. The firm highlighted that the oil sector cannot afford to compromise on safety standards, especially as Nigeria is working to attract more foreign investment and strengthen its global competitiveness.

NNPC executives echoed the same sentiment, noting that occupational health and safety remain top priorities for the national oil company. They stressed that the company is committed to minimising risks in operations, not only to protect staff but also to ensure operational continuity and build investor confidence. According to NNPC, every barrel of oil produced must meet both commercial and safety benchmarks, as negligence in one area undermines the other.

The training covered a wide range of safety issues, including risk assessment, fire prevention, emergency response, environmental management, and compliance with both Nigerian and international oil industry regulations. Participants also received hands-on demonstrations on the use of modern safety equipment, incident reporting, and workplace hazard management.

Industry stakeholders present at the event commended the partnership, describing it as timely given Nigeria’s current efforts to reposition its oil and gas industry. Experts noted that several recent accidents, including rig malfunctions and pipeline leaks, underscored the urgent need for continuous training and safety upgrades. They added that creating a pool of safety-conscious professionals would drastically reduce the frequency of incidents and cut down on economic losses.

Craigwal Petroshore, which has established itself as a key service provider in oilfield safety solutions, said the partnership with NNPC is part of a broader agenda to support Nigeria’s transition into a safer, more efficient oil sector. The firm revealed that the training initiative would not be a one-off but part of a recurring programme that will periodically update workers on new technologies, safety protocols, and global regulatory changes.

Participants in the training expressed optimism about the knowledge and skills they gained, with many pledging to implement stricter safety practices in their respective companies. Several attendees noted that while equipment upgrades and infrastructure investments are important, the human factor—competence, discipline, and safety awareness—remains the most critical aspect of workplace protection.

In recent years, regulators such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR, now defunct) have tightened oversight of safety compliance in the industry. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) further places obligations on operators to adopt the highest safety standards. Against this backdrop, the Craigwal Petroshore–NNPC initiative is being viewed as a proactive measure to align with regulatory expectations and reduce compliance risks.

Observers also link the training to broader efforts to improve Nigeria’s oil production output, which has been constrained not only by theft and vandalism but also by operational disruptions linked to accidents and environmental incidents. By equipping professionals with better safety knowledge, stakeholders believe the industry can reduce downtime, preserve assets, and protect human capital while boosting productivity.

The oil and gas workforce has long been central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes, and with global shifts toward cleaner energy sources, the country is under pressure to maximise efficiency and responsibility in its petroleum operations. Partnerships such as the one between Craigwal Petroshore and NNPC are therefore seen as critical to bridging capacity gaps and maintaining Nigeria’s position as a leading energy producer in Africa.

Industry watchers argue that the success of the initiative should encourage other oil and gas service providers to roll out similar capacity-building programmes. They suggest that expanding training beyond NNPC staff to include independent operators, contractors, and community-based workers would strengthen industry-wide safety consciousness and build resilience against accidents.

For Craigwal Petroshore and NNPC, the ultimate goal is to create a safer working environment for oil professionals, protect the environment, and ensure that Nigeria’s petroleum sector meets international benchmarks. As both organisations reaffirmed during the training, safety in oil operations is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral and economic responsibility.