Cross River State launches oil and gas training for 2,000 youths

The Cross River State Government has launched a specialized training program titled ‘Skill Up in the Season of Sweetness’ (SUSOS) to equip 2,000 youths with professional skills for the oil, gas, and maritime sectors.

Organized by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Oil and Gas in collaboration with the Research Gateway Professional Institute, the initiative provides professional certificates and diplomas. Training covers diverse fields including engineering, logistics, marine services, safety, environmental management, procurement, and maintenance. The program begins with orientation in Calabar and will extend across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas.

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Cross River Chapter, has endorsed the initiative, describing it as a strategic move to invest in the state’s blue economy. The training aims to prepare the local workforce for emerging opportunities as the state seeks to re-establish its position in the oil-producing and maritime industries, leveraging assets such as the Cross River Estuary and proximity to the deep sea.