PTI matriculates 2,101 students, declares zero tolerance for cultism, exam misconduct

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The Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State, has matriculated 2,101 new students into its 2025/2026 full-time and School of Industrial and Continuous Education programmes.

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It also declared zero tolerance for cultism, examination misconduct, indecent dressing and a range of other infractions.

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The Principal and Chief Executive of the institute, Dr Samuel Onoji, administered the institution’s oaths to the new students at the matriculation ceremony on Friday.

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Onoji described the oil and gas industry as dynamic and demanding, urging freshers to approach their studies with innovation, adaptability, and resourcefulness.

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Onoji, represented by the Director of Research and Development, Dr Tina Isichei, specifically listed the conduct that the institute would not tolerate.

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“PTI has zero tolerance for examination misconduct, physical and sexual assault, cultism, use of drugs, theft, narcotics, robbery, indecent dressing and prostitution, stealing and certificate forgeries among others,” he said, urging students to uphold the highest standards of behaviour throughout their stay.

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He also advised the new students to follow proper channels of communication in reporting grievances and to acquaint themselves with the institute’s student handbook.

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On financial support, Onoji encouraged the students, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds, to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund programme to ease their financial burdens.

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The PTI chief also urged the students to embrace emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, data analytics, robotics, and machine learning, as tools to broaden their knowledge and boost their employability in the oil and gas sector.

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He further advised them to enrol for additional certificate programmes in fossil fuels and renewables to keep pace with new developments in the industry.

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Onoji congratulated the matriculating students on joining what he described as the foremost specialised petroleum institution in sub-Saharan Africa, assuring them that their time at PTI would open doors into the industry.

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“Passing through PTI is an opportunity to penetrate the oil and gas industry,” he said, adding that several organisations, including Laser Engineering, Ioda Energy, and Indora Petrochemicals, had sought collaborations with the institute in recognition of its capability and effectiveness.

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He charged the students to remain focused and resilient in the face of academic pressure.

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“The decisions you make today and the actions you take will determine who you will become tomorrow, therefore, be determined and focused. Be resilient and disciplined, sometimes, there may be pressure in the course of your study, do not give up because whatever goes up must come down,” he said.

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The Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, was established in 1972 by the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide specialised technical and vocational training for the oil and gas industry.

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