From Paul Orude, Bauchi
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has launched the construction of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy (BOGAA) in Alkaleri, Bauchi State.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, with N6.9 billion allocated for the project, part of N17 billion provided by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to advance the state’s oil and gas sector.
Governor Bala Mohammed said, “Definitely the contribution of the federal government in this project is enormous and I must acknowledge the intervention of President Tinubu who gave us the money and we are using what he has given us judiciously.” The academy will include a perimeter fence, administrative complex, classrooms, hostels, a library, and laboratories, with 30% of funds already disbursed to contractors.
Mohammed urged contractors to adhere to specifications and meet deadlines, warning, “Any substandard work will not be accepted by the government.” The academy aims to train skilled manpower for the Kolmani oil field and other regions, aligning with the state’s youth empowerment goals.
Since its inception at a temporary site in ATAP Bauchi, BOGAA has graduated 530 students in skills like welding, plumbing, and computer hardware maintenance. “In all, over 700 students were admitted and have undergone several programmes in the academy,” Mohammed added. The academy now offers diploma programmes and oil and gas certificate courses.
Lokpobiri praised Mohammed’s vision, noting, “The coming of the academy will provide the needed manpower to service the Kolmani project.” He reaffirmed federal support to ensure the project’s success, aligning with Tinubu’s energy security goals.
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