Jarus on Sunday: The Oil & Gas Industry Craze

Suraj Oyewale

Yesterday, I bared my mind to a reader that wanted advice on breaking into oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Mid-way into responding to that dilemma, one point I have always harped on in similar discussions in the past came to my mind: the oil and gas craze. I decided to make my column today treat that.

I have worked in Nigeria’s energy sector for more than 5 years, 4 years at the downstream sector and almost 2 years in the midstream/upstream industry, so I think I have a fair idea of the working of the industry with respect to employment strategy. Although I always tell people that, contrary to popular perception, you actually don’t need to work in the oil and gas industry to earn a decent living. The truth is, almost irrespective of the industry you start your career, there is going to be some convergence in the long run. In fact, I know people that started their career in financial services sector and some people that started in oil and gas industry at the same time. Of course, the ones in the oil industry started on a pay package that tripled the ones in the financial services industry, but after 10 years, the ones that started in the financial services industry are better off, in terms of wealth and investment.

That is how it pans out for most people. In fact, there is high tendency for ostentatious living when you start your career in the oil industry, especially upstream. When you earn a monthly net pay of 500,000 per month as a fresh graduate, it takes discipline to live decently. That is when you begin to think of spending holidays in Seychelles Island, using brand new Toyota Camry, paying 1.5m per annum rent in Lekki etc, while your fellow fresh graduate in a FMCG company earning 150,000 per month lives in Egbeda, drives a 400,000 tokunboh car, saves and invests the remaining part of his income. Go to PH and see the ostentation I’m talking about. So except for very few, working in the industry is no guarantee of  better life, especially in the long run.

This is why the first caveat I add anytime I have cause to advise young ones on career is that, you don’t actually need to work in an oil company before you earn a comfortable living. So don’t be desperate about working in the industry. During my active days in the career section of Nairaland 3 to 6 years ago, I used to be active most on discussions bordering oil and gas job, and I used to make that clear. With diligence and hardwork, you can actually lead a decent living in any work you do or anywhere you work. So the desperation about oil and gas industry may be misplaced.

One lady once brought a case before us on Nairaland career section few years back. One guy lied to her that he was working in an oil and gas company, and used that to woo the lady. They were already planning marriage – I think she had even gotten pregant for him sef – when she knew that the guy was actually unemployed and squatting with a friend. Well, trust Nairalanders, it was a fest of insult on the girl. And obviously that girl was to blame: you wanted him just because of oyel money. Serves her right. That is how desperate people could be.

Yet, I’m not against seeking the best, even if just in terms of pay package, in the short-run. While we always say pay should not be the primary motivation for a fresh graduate, truth is, deep inside our mind, we all know pay matters. We all know what our parents went through to get us educated, and time is not on their side, the earlier the megabucks start coming in to make our parents proud, the better. So on the other hand, it may not be blameworthy seeking where one gets the best financial returns from the word go.

God-permitting, I will do a more comprehensive article on employment strategy in the industry very soon – sort of a guide to getting job in the industry. But before I do that, it is important to douse the fixation of every graduate or student on this industry.