The United States is working closely with Nigeria to improve efficiencies in the vital oil sector.

The U.S. Commercial Service Nigeria sponsored a Single Company Promotion event in Lagos on January 26 that focused on strengthening the skills of process operators working in Nigeria's refinery and chemical industry, said United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, Mission Director, Michelle Godette.

The event launched a new training simulation solution by New Jersey-based Simulation Solutions Inc. Simulation Solutions is a leading provider of PC-based dynamic simulation training programs for process operators in the refinery and chemical industries, as well as for government and academia. The company's INSTO; 5-Step Process Technology Operator Training for professionals has been used by downstream oil firms all over the world to improve plant efficiency.

U.S. Consul General John Bray said in his opening remarks that for Nigeria to overcome its current economic challenges, it must find ways to diversify its economy while improving firm-level productivity. He encouraged participants to actively engage with Simulation Solutions to improve their organizations' bottom-line profitability.

Over 60 representatives from across Nigeria's petrochemical sector, including officers from Nigeria's national oil company, regulatory agencies, as well as professionals drawn from private refineries, training institutes and academia, learned how companies can effectively operate their plants without accidents and downtime, saving costs and improving profitability. U.S. Commercial Service Counsellor Brent Omdahl anchored the event.

Audience participants expressed keen interest in establishing a partnership with Simulation Solutions, and in adapting the simulator training program to their individual operations. Academic speakers encouraged a gradual introduction of the training program into technical and executive skills curricula. In the coming months, the U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria will continue to support Simulation Solutions and its Nigeria partners as they roll out training programs at interested organizations across the country.

The United States is proud to work with its partner Nigeria to promote trade that benefits the U.S, Nigeria and the world.