Framework for Sustainable Indigenous Technology Development and Capacity Building in Nigerian Petroleum Industry

Abstract

Abstract A historical review of the evolution and development of engineering and technology generally in Nigeria is first presented. Major efforts at indigenous capacity building in the Nigerian oil industry did not commence until about 60 years after the first exploration efforts and ten years after oil discovery at Oloibiri. It was observed that in the last three decades, significant efforts have been made at establishing some institutions and infrastructure necessary for technology transfer and indigenous capacity building. Unfortunately, important requirements like favourable economic and political climate and essential linkages have been largely missing. A reliable survey and database of indigenous technology that can be applied in the oil industry is also missing. A general appraisal of the oil industry shows that while there is significant local expertise in Engineering services in such areas as drilling fluids engineering, PVT analysis, pipeline pigging and light facilities engineering, indigenous technological capacity is still very low and there is high dependence on foreign technology. We reiterate the well-known fact that ownership of production cannot be separated from the technology of production hence the need for a state-backed institutional framework for sustainable indigenous technology development and promotion of local content in the Nigerian oil industry as has been done in other counties and in the Nigerian defense industry.