Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited is calling for a comprehensive overhaul of operational efficiency and accelerated upskilling of Nigeria’s youthful energy workforce. The company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tony Attah, emphasized the need for this transformation at the 43rd annual international conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos.
Nigeria is at a critical juncture as global energy dynamics shift, with capital allocation becoming more selective and technology disrupting traditional value chains. Despite these challenges, the country retains significant strategic advantages, including world-class reserves, a young and dynamic population, and entrepreneurial agility. Attah stressed that improving operational efficiency and developing human capital are essential for unlocking Nigeria’s competitive advantage in the global energy market.
To achieve operational excellence, Attah defined it as streamlining workflows, empowering teams with data-driven autonomy, and creating feedback loops for continuous improvement. He noted that operational efficiency is not about doing more, but about doing better, consistently, sustainably, and smartly. This is no longer optional, but a necessary step for relevance in the industry.
While hydrocarbons will remain vital for revenue and energy security in the near term, competitiveness will depend on modernizing operations and workforce capabilities. Nigeria is not only competing with national oil companies but also with agile, technology-enabled energy firms worldwide. Attah urged policy reforms and investment alignment to create an enabling environment for efficiency and talent development.
The Renaissance CEO highlighted the need for clear, consistent, and forward-looking regulatory frameworks, de-risked funding models, and partnerships between government, industry, and academia. He also emphasized the importance of targeted training, diversity and inclusion, retention strategies, and safety-first cultures in transforming the workforce. Attah noted that potential needs development and platforms to excel, including training, mentorship, and opportunities.
The call for operational efficiency and talent upskilling of Nigeria’s youthful energy workforce comes as the country seeks to unlock its competitive advantage in the global energy market. With the right policies and investment in place, Nigeria can modernize its operations and develop a skilled workforce, enabling it to compete effectively with other energy companies worldwide. The significance of this transformation cannot be overstated, as it has the potential to drive economic growth, energy security, and sustainable development in Nigeria.