TotalEnergies Champions Human Resource Development for Energy Sustainability
TotalEnergies has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s energy sustainability by emphasizing the critical role of human resource development alongside traditional hydrocarbon efforts. The company’s Deputy Managing Director for Deepwater Asset, Victor Bandele, shared this vision during a panel discussion at the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ (SPE) 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) held in Lagos.
Investing in Human Capital Through Education
Bandele emphasized that TotalEnergies’ long-standing presence in Nigeria—spanning over six decades—has been built not only on technological expertise but also on its investment in people. He highlighted the company’s ongoing partnership with the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies (IPES) at the University of Port Harcourt as a cornerstone of this strategy. The IPES program is designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills necessary to thrive in the oil and gas industry.
“One of the pillars of our 63-year legacy in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is our unwavering dedication to human resource development,” Bandele said. “We have supported IPES financially over the years. Today, many of our directors serve as mentors at the institute, and about 40 graduates of the program are currently employed by TotalEnergies. Others have found positions in various companies across Nigeria and internationally,” he added.
Preparing for a Dynamic Energy Future
Bandele stressed that sustainability in energy goes beyond current needs, noting, “It’s about integrating people into our operations to meet today’s demands and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.” He asserted that training and development are essential to adapting past knowledge to future energy scenarios.
“At TotalEnergies, we understand that sustainability cannot be anchored solely on legacy knowledge. Training the youth is central to national development. The oil and gas industry must involve young people in the energy transition process,” he said.
He also pointed out the need for educational policies to evolve in tandem with the broader energy landscape. “We must align our educational frameworks with the future of energy because the skills that are relevant today may not suffice tomorrow,” Bandele concluded.
Industry-Wide Call for Strategic Leadership
Earlier in the conference, Engr. Amina Danmadami, Chairperson of the SPE Nigeria Council, echoed the importance of leadership in steering Nigeria toward a sustainable energy future. “Nigeria stands at a pivotal crossroads. The country needs bold and intentional leadership to reimagine its energy ecosystem,” she said.
Danmadami further stressed the need for inclusivity and global collaboration. “The future of energy is uncertain. It is not linear or predetermined. It will be shaped by strategic investments, inclusive leadership, and cross-border engagement,” she stated.
NAICE 2025: A Hub for Innovation and Collaboration
The 2025 edition of SPE NAICE served as a vital platform for industry dialogue, technical exchange, and forward-thinking strategies. The event featured two high-level leadership panels, over 80 exhibiting companies, and several thematic tracks focusing on key industry areas such as gas monetization, pipeline efficiency, infrastructure optimization, and digital transformation.
Special emphasis was placed on national priorities including local capacity development, asset divestment, and environmental stewardship. The conference theme, “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Policy,” attracted a diverse audience comprising regulators, industry operators across the value chain, financial institutions, oil and gas interest groups, media personnel, and observers.
By spotlighting human resource development as a cornerstone of its operations, TotalEnergies is setting an example for how energy companies can contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. As Nigeria navigates the complexities of energy transition, such initiatives exemplify how investing in people today can power the energy solutions of tomorrow.
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