At the 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) in Lagos, TotalEnergies stressed that Nigeria’s long-term energy sustainability cannot hinge solely on hydrocarbons but must be anchored on strategic investment in human capital.
Speaking during a panel session themed “Governance and Structuring Human Resources Strategy for a Sustainable Energy Future”, Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Asset at TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, said the company’s six decades in Nigeria have been built on a people-focused approach to sustainability.
Bandele cited TotalEnergies’ graduate trainee programme in partnership with the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies (IPES) at the University of Port Harcourt as a flagship initiative. The programme, sustained through the company’s financial sponsorship and mentorship by its directors, has produced graduates who have excelled in Nigeria and abroad.
“Sustainability in our operations means deliberate inclusion of people as a means of meeting today’s energy requirements, while preparing for the future,” Bandele said.
Currently, about 40 IPES alumni work at TotalEnergies, while many more hold positions in various companies globally. Bandele emphasized that sustainability goes beyond technical expertise — it is about refining knowledge and equipping young minds to navigate future energy challenges.
He warned that educational policies must align with the rapidly evolving energy landscape, as skillsets relevant today may soon become obsolete. “Tomorrow’s energy needs will require new capabilities, and preparing our youth today is non-negotiable,” he said.
Earlier, Engr. Amina Danmadami, Chairperson of the SPE Nigeria Council, stressed that visionary leadership and inclusive governance are crucial in shaping Nigeria’s energy future. She urged deliberate engagement between local and international stakeholders to drive a people-centered energy transition.
The 2025 NAICE conference gathered industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the oil and gas value chain, with a central message resonating throughout the event:
Technology and hydrocarbons are vital, but people are the true engine of a sustainable energy future.
