API Denies Issuing BOSIET Certification to Opeans, Nigerian Company

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

American Petroleum Institute (API) has denied granting any certification or approval to Opeans Nigeria Limited for conducting the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET).

Opeans Nigeria Limited, a training provider with centres in Port-Harcourt and Warri, had previously claimed receipt of the API certification, which was excitedly greeted by the organisation’s Executive Director, Ben Nwoye and other company stakeholders.

However, API has set the record straight, stating that it has not accredited or approved any trainings conducted by Opeans Nigeria Limited. 

“As a leading standard-setting organisation in the oil and gas industry, API aims to enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability in the sector within the United States of America”, it asserted.

The denial by API  came to light via a lawsuit (HOR/9/2023) filed at the Delta State High Court against Opeans Nigeria Limited, API, Veriforce Limited Liability Company, and the Attorney-General of Delta State. 

API’s legal team, from Banwo & Ighodalo law firm, pointed out that Opeans Nigeria Limited has no affiliation with API and that the BOSIET certificates being issued by Opeans Nigeria Limited are not approved or accredited by the Institute.

Moreover, API refuted the claims made by Opeans Nigeria Limited in various newspapers about the purported API certification.

The suit by API also alleged the issuance of fake and forged BOSIET certificates by Opeans Nigeria Limited, claiming accreditation and approval by API and Veriforce.

Nevertheless, some industry experts, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that it was not the first time that Opeans Nigeria Limited would be awarding fraudulent BOSIET certificates.

Oil companies in the country are not unaware that Opeans does not have any authentic accreditation pact with API or any representative of Opeans Nigeria Limited.

They blamed local regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for allegedly emboldening the embattled training company with their cover-ups of such fraudulent activities, a situation that undermined the safety of personnel in the oil and gas industry in the country.

Meanwhile, the Delta State High Court has duly acknowledged receipt of all the legal documents relevant to the matter, following a ruling on the interlocutory application slated for October 10th, 2023.