Over 3,000 applicants competed for 30 awards as Eni subsidiary sustains 19-year investment in specialised training, with 380 graduates benefiting from the scheme to date.

Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE), a subsidiary of Italian energy company Eni, has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 30 Nigerian graduates under its 2026/2027 Scholarship Awards Scheme, reinforcing efforts to develop local expertise and strengthen Nigeria’s human capital in the oil and gas industry.

The beneficiaries were selected from more than 3,000 applicants following a competitive process that considered their academic standing and performance in a recently conducted computer-based test.

The scholarships, awarded by NAE on behalf of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the NNPC-NAE Production Sharing Contract (PSC) partners, will enable the recipients to pursue postgraduate studies in Nigerian and overseas universities in specialised disciplines relevant to the energy industry.

Ten of the beneficiaries will undertake their studies abroad, while the remaining 20 will attend universities in Nigeria, pursuing courses designed to strengthen technical expertise and build professional capacity across the petroleum and wider energy sectors.

The initiative forms part of NAE’s sustained investment in education, skills development and knowledge acquisition, particularly in specialised fields required for the effective development of Nigeria’s deep offshore oil and gas resources.

Speaking on the awards, NAE Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Maurizio Pinna, said the scholarship scheme contributes to human capital development by providing talented young Nigerians with opportunities to acquire specialised knowledge and skills relevant to the oil and gas industry.

He congratulated the beneficiaries, noting that the awards would help them pursue their academic ambitions and achieve their professional objectives.

“The award highlights our company’s continuous commitment to the future of education, innovation, and capacity building in Nigeria,” Pinna said.

He urged the recipients to make effective use of the opportunity by acquiring valuable knowledge and practical skills that would benefit Nigeria, particularly its energy industry.

The scholarship programme reflects the importance of developing a skilled workforce capable of supporting the country’s evolving energy landscape, where technical competence, innovation and specialised professional knowledge are increasingly important to efficient operations and long-term industry growth.

Building Expertise for Nigeria’s Energy Industry

The 30 beneficiaries will pursue postgraduate studies in disciplines including engineering, geosciences, petroleum and environmental technology, energy economics, renewable energy and energy transition.

The courses are intended to equip the recipients with specialised expertise applicable to the oil and gas industry, while also broadening their capacity to contribute to emerging areas of energy development.

Among the overseas institutions hosting the scholarship recipients are Imperial College London, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Newcastle University, the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and the University of Hull in the United Kingdom.

The participation of Nigerian graduates in postgraduate programmes at these institutions provides opportunities for advanced academic training and exposure to international research and professional practices.

The remaining beneficiaries will pursue their studies at Nigerian universities, supporting the development of local postgraduate education and the cultivation of expertise within the country’s academic and professional environment.

By combining overseas and domestic training, the scheme provides opportunities for beneficiaries to acquire advanced knowledge while strengthening the pool of professionals available to support Nigeria’s energy industry.

The emphasis on specialised disciplines also reflects the technical demands of petroleum exploration and production, particularly in deep offshore operations, where advanced engineering, geoscience, environmental management and related expertise are essential.

Beyond traditional oil and gas disciplines, the inclusion of renewable energy, energy economics and energy transition broadens the scheme’s relevance to the changing energy landscape.

These areas of study can help develop professionals equipped to address questions of energy security, environmental sustainability, investment, resource management and the gradual diversification of energy systems.

A 19-Year Investment in Human Capital

Established in 2007 by the NNPC-NAE PSC partners, the postgraduate scholarship scheme was designed to promote knowledge acquisition and help bridge skills gaps in specialised fields relevant to deep offshore oil and gas operations in Nigeria.

Since its inception, 380 graduates have benefited from the programme, reflecting its contribution to training local professionals and expanding the country’s pool of skilled personnel.

The latest awards extend that record of investment in human capital, providing another group of Nigerian graduates with opportunities to acquire advanced qualifications and develop expertise that can be applied to the country’s energy sector.

The scheme also addresses a critical dimension of local capacity development: the need to ensure that Nigerians have access to the specialised knowledge required to participate effectively in complex petroleum operations.

As the industry pursues production growth, operational efficiency and improved environmental performance, the availability of qualified professionals remains important to the development and management of oil and gas assets.

Through postgraduate education and specialised training, initiatives such as the NAE scholarship scheme can help strengthen the technical capabilities of the local workforce and support the development of indigenous professional expertise.

The programme’s inclusion of energy transition-related disciplines further reflects the need for a workforce that can respond to technological advances and changing industry priorities.

For the beneficiaries, the awards offer an opportunity to advance their academic and professional development. For the wider industry, the programme represents an investment in the knowledge and skills needed to sustain operations and improve the participation of Nigerian professionals in specialised areas of energy development.

Extending Sustainability Beyond Operations

NAE’s scholarship scheme forms part of a broader portfolio of sustainability initiatives implemented by Eni in Nigeria.

Through NAE, the company has supported programmes in health, education, access to water and infrastructure provision, alongside initiatives designed to empower stakeholders in host communities.

These interventions reflect an approach to corporate sustainability that extends beyond oil and gas production to encompass social development and the welfare of communities.

The education component is particularly relevant to long-term development, as investments in knowledge and professional training can strengthen individual career prospects while contributing to the availability of skilled personnel across strategic sectors.

The postgraduate scholarship scheme provides a structured pathway for young Nigerians to acquire advanced qualifications in fields relevant to the energy industry, complementing other initiatives aimed at supporting community development and improving access to essential services.

Eni’s Nigerian Operations

Eni has operated in Nigeria since 1962 and currently records equity production of approximately 55,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The company also holds a 10.4 per cent stake in Nigeria LNG Limited.

NAE was incorporated in 1996 to manage Eni’s deep offshore exploration and production assets in the country.

The company became the first oil and gas operator in Nigeria to produce oil from the country’s deep offshore when its Abo floating production, storage and offloading vessel commenced production in 2003.

NAE has interests in nine offshore blocks in Nigeria, either as operator or co-venturer. Its portfolio includes Petroleum Mining Leases 102 and 103, where the Zabazaba-Etan fields are being developed.

Against this operational background, the scholarship programme represents one of the company’s contributions to developing the human capital needed to support specialised offshore activities and the wider energy industry.

With 30 additional graduates set to undertake postgraduate studies in Nigeria and abroad, NAE is extending a programme that has supported hundreds of beneficiaries since 2007.

The long-term value of the initiative will depend not only on the academic qualifications acquired by the recipients but also on how effectively they apply their knowledge and skills to Nigeria’s industrial, technological and economic development.

By sustaining its investment in postgraduate education, NAE is seeking to strengthen local professional capacity and expand opportunities for Nigerian talent to contribute to the country’s oil and gas industry and evolving energy future.