Abuja — More than 20 Nigerian welders have received international certification in welding from the Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTDF) in line with the content directive of the Federal Government to train 2,500 welders.

The welders are drawn from the core group of Nigerian welders with the necessary practical capabilities to undergo training in various welding skills at international level in order to meet global standards of the Regulatory Agency for Welding.

A statement released by PTDF and signed by Kalu Otisi said that "Nigeria has scaled the first major hurdle towards securing international recognition as a nation capable of producing certified welders for the oil and gas industry."

The statement said that the trained welders are going to form the basis for a train the trainer program embarked by PTDF to train welders under the Fund's welders training and certification program.

Fourteen Nigerians received the International Institute of Welding diploma as international welders while six others received International welding certificate in plate welding and Filet welding.