Industry leaders have challenged young professionals to prioritise competence, continuous learning and value creation as they prepare to lead the next phase of Nigeria’s energy transition, stressing that technical skills alone are no longer sufficient to succeed in an increasingly competitive industry.

The call was made during the “Emerging Leaders: Shaping the Future of Energy” strategic panel session at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week 2026, where speakers urged the next generation of professionals to embrace intentional career development, innovation and excellence while taking advantage of opportunities created by industry reforms.

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Speaking at the session, Godslove Chinyere Oliver, Process Design Analyst at NNPC Limited, said organisations must deliberately create opportunities for young professionals to assume meaningful responsibilities and contribute to strategic decision-making.

She noted that NNPC has adopted a deliberate approach to developing future industry leaders by providing platforms that enable young employees to acquire practical experience, demonstrate leadership and contribute innovative ideas that support the company’s growth and the wider energy sector.

According to her, empowering emerging professionals is essential to sustaining Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness in the global energy industry.

Also speaking, Bashir Ahmed, Assistant Manager, Project Certification and Authorization Division (PCAD) at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), said the industry has moved beyond measuring local content by the number of indigenous participants to evaluating the quality of talent and the value professionals bring to the workplace.

He warned that visibility without competence could undermine credibility, stressing that young professionals must ensure their public profile is matched by demonstrable expertise and consistent performance.

“The conversation has shifted from the quantity of local participation to the quality of talent, competence and value creation,” he said, adding that employers now place greater emphasis on employability, innovation and the substance individuals contribute to organisational success.

In her contribution, Engr. Yetunde Aladeitan, National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NiPeTE), encouraged emerging professionals to be intentional about the services they provide and the professional reputation they build over time.

She advised young practitioners to focus on delivering consistent excellence, creating meaningful content and pursuing deliberate career development, noting that sustainable professional success is built through discipline, competence and continuous self-improvement.

The panellists agreed that while technical expertise remains fundamental, young professionals require supportive policies, structured mentorship programmes and strong institutional backing to maximise their potential.

They concluded that building the next generation of energy leaders will require a combination of competence, innovation, leadership opportunities and an enabling environment that empowers young professionals to make meaningful contributions to the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s energy industry.