Nigeria’s Folashade Adekeye has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Forum of Directors of Oil & Gas Training & Vocational Education Institutes of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO).
Adekeye, the Director of NNPC Academy, succeeded Mr. Abdelkader Guenone, Managing Director of the Algerian Petroleum Institute (API), during the Forum’s second meeting in Abuja over the weekend.
With over 30 years of experience, Adekeye is set to lead the Forum in addressing critical issues such as competency gaps, infrastructure deficiencies, and inadequate funding within APPO’s training institutions.
As head of NNPC’s training arm, she is expected to enhance collaboration among APPO Member Countries.
Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, released a statement highlighting the importance of the Forum.
In his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., represented by Inuwa Danladi, Executive Vice President (Business Services), underscored the necessity of standardized education and training to meet the evolving demands of the oil and gas industry.
APPO’s Secretary General, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, also emphasized the need for enhanced collaborative efforts among Member Countries to establish Oil & Gas Centres of Excellence across Africa.
He noted that understanding the Forum’s challenges is crucial for making effective recommendations and solutions in areas such as project funding, technology adoption, and the formation of an Africa Energy Bank.
Dr. Ibrahim, also from Nigeria, stated that such collaboration would ensure Africa’s energy accessibility, affordability, and sustainability, ultimately strengthening the continent’s economies and bringing prosperity to its citizens.
