Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE), a subsidiary of Italian energy giant Eni, has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 30 Nigerians under the 2025/2026 NNPC-NAE Production Sharing Contract (PSC) Scholarship Awards Scheme.
The company said in a statement on Wednesday that the awardees were selected from over 1,500 applicants following a rigorous process that included a computer-based test. Ten of the beneficiaries will undertake studies in universities abroad, while the remaining 20 will pursue postgraduate programmes in Nigerian institutions.
The courses covered include engineering, geosciences, petroleum and environmental technology, energy economics, renewable energy, and energy transition—fields considered critical to Nigeria’s energy future.
Speaking at the award ceremony in Abuja, the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of NAE, Mr. Fabrizio Bolondi, said the initiative underscored the company’s commitment to investing in human capital development and capacity building in Nigeria.
“The award ceremony highlights our continuous commitment to the future of education, innovation, and capacity building in Nigeria,” Bolondi said. He encouraged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity to acquire skills that will contribute to the nation’s development, particularly in the energy sector, where Nigeria continues to face challenges and opportunities.
The Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), represented at the event by the Manager of External Relations, Mrs. Edith Bunmi-Lawson, and Deputy Manager PSC Asset A3, Mr. Paul Duke, commended the scheme. He noted that the partnership reflects the importance of collaboration between operators and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) in building the next generation of professionals for the oil and gas industry.
The scholarship programme, which began in 2007, was designed to bridge the skills gap in specialised areas required for deep offshore oil and gas operations in Nigeria. Over the years, it has produced hundreds of highly skilled graduates who now contribute to the country’s energy industry and beyond.
According to NAE, “To date, 350 graduates have benefitted from the postgraduate scholarship schemes instituted by the company to contribute to the training of local professionals, providing the knowledge and skills required within the industry.”
Industry experts say the scholarship programme is not only a form of corporate social responsibility but also a strategic investment in Nigeria’s local content development. With global oil majors shifting towards cleaner energy and renewables, there is increasing demand for new skills in areas like energy transition, renewable energy, and energy economics.
By sponsoring studies both in Nigeria and abroad, the NNPC-NAE scheme ensures that Nigerian students are exposed to international best practices while also strengthening local universities. Beneficiaries are expected to return with knowledge that can be applied to Nigeria’s unique challenges in the energy sector, from managing offshore fields to advancing the country’s energy transition goals.
For many young Nigerians, the scholarship represents a life-changing opportunity. Beneficiaries are provided financial support for tuition, living expenses, and other academic needs, thereby reducing the burden on families and enabling recipients to focus fully on their studies.
Stakeholders at the ceremony also emphasised the importance of discipline, hard work, and a sense of responsibility on the part of the awardees. They were reminded that the scheme is not only about personal success but also about contributing meaningfully to national development.
With over 350 graduates trained since its inception, the scheme continues to be one of the most consistent postgraduate scholarship initiatives in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Industry watchers believe that expanding such programmes will be vital as the country navigates a fast-changing global energy landscape.
The latest award cycle also reflects a broader shift towards preparing Nigeria’s workforce for the energy transition. While oil and gas remain central to the economy, new investments in renewable energy and sustainable practices demand a new generation of skilled professionals.
