Chinese Language Training Needs Assessment for Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector Professionals

The Nigerian oil and gas sector increasingly interfaces with Chinese energy companies, equipment suppliers, and service providers, creating specific Chinese language and cultural competency needs for Nigerian petroleum professionals. This study conducts a training needs assessment for Chinese language and culture skills among Nigerian oil and gas sector professionals in Rivers State and Lagos State. A professional survey design was adopted, with questionnaires administered to 100 Nigerian professionals from petroleum engineering, procurement, logistics, and commercial departments of companies that regularly transact with Chinese counterparts. Structured interviews with ten senior professionals and five human resource managers provided qualitative depth. Findings indicate that 83 percent of respondents have faced communication difficulties with Chinese counterparts, with contract negotiation, technical specifications, and after-sales support communication identified as the most problematic contexts. Only 11 percent of respondents have received any formal Mandarin language training. Preference for Mandarin instruction is strongest for business communication and technical vocabulary rather than general language proficiency. Online and blended learning delivery modes are strongly preferred due to demanding work schedules. The study concludes that Nigerian oil and gas sector professionals require targeted Mandarin language training focused on industry-specific communication scenarios, available through flexible digital delivery platforms. It recommends that the Petroleum Training Institute in Effurun develop a sector-specific Mandarin certificate programme for petroleum professionals.

Keywords: Chinese language training, oil and gas sector, Nigeria, professional development, Mandarin needs assessment