Niger Forges Ahead, Opens University Applications For Young Nigeriens To Study Oil Exploration

The Republic of Niger has announced the opening of pre-registrations and academic year for 2024/2025 undergraduate students planning their careers in the petroleum industry to study oil exploration and refining at the National School of Petroleum and Gas (ENPG).

ENPG, in affiliation with the University of Zinder in eastern Niger, was initially announced in March 2024 by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Technological Innovation, citing a need to train executives and engineers in the highly strategic fields of petroleum and gas.

This was in consideration of the goal of the Conseil National pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie (CNSP) under the leadership of Abdourahamane Tiani, who announced in December that the country would aim to refine more oil locally, with 25.4% of its 110,000 barrels per day (bpd) excess intended for exports to neighbouring countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

Nearly three months later today, the government, in affiliation with Andre Salifou University, opened two departments, including the Exploitation – Exploration of Hydrocarbons (EEH) and Petroleum Process Engineering (GPP), to equip Nigeriens from undergraduates to graduates level.

With a three-year calendar for senior technicians and a mandated process of acquiring skills before specialisation, young Nigeriens are expected to apply starting July 15 – August 15, 2024.

The Rector of the University André Salifou is pleased to announce the opening of pre-registrations for new baccalaureate graduates (high school) wishing to continue their studies at the National School of Oil and Gas (ENPG), a press statement seen by West Africa Weekly reads.

This approach marks a breakthrough in the country’s educational sector and petroleum industry, which has been known for uranium ore exploitation under the previous French-inclined government until lately.

It also provides new opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire skills to strengthen the country’s internal capacity and economy.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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