Marine Engineer, Educator, Administrator, Mentor, and Pioneer of Offshore Technology Development

Late Engr. Barugu Peter Forsman was a distinguished marine engineer, respected academic, administrator, and pioneer in offshore technology education whose life embodied perseverance, excellence, service, and dedication to national development. Through decades of professional accomplishment, he contributed significantly to engineering education, maritime development, and the training of generations of Nigerian engineers and offshore technology specialists.

Early Life and Education

Engr. Barugu Peter Forsman was born on 12 February 1944 in Enugu, Nigeria, to the family of Late Chief John Forsman Akpuluma of Ubaka Quarters, Odi Town in present-day Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Late Mrs. Enebimoere Akpuluma (née Akpuru Kentebe) of Adagbabiri Town in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

His father served as a senior officer in the then Nigerian Prison Service, while his mother was a successful trader who supported the family with diligence and devotion. Growing up in a disciplined and hardworking environment, young Barugu developed an enduring commitment to education and self-improvement.

After completing his primary education in Enugu, he relocated with his parents to Lagos, where he attended Saint Finbarr’s College, Yaba, one of Nigeria’s foremost secondary institutions. In 1964, he obtained the West African Senior School Certificate with distinction, demonstrating exceptional academic ability and laying the foundation for his future career in engineering.

Driven by a passion for technology and maritime operations, he gained admission into Yaba College of Technology in 1966, where he studied Marine Engineering. He graduated in 1968 with an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Marine Engineering and earned an Upper Credit, distinguishing himself among his peers.

Early Career and Overseas Education

Following his graduation, Engr. Forsman remained briefly in Lagos before relocating to Port Harcourt in early 1971, where he secured employment with the Rivers State Ministry of Works.

While serving diligently in the ministry, he was awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Rivers State Government to pursue advanced studies in Marine Engineering in the United Kingdom. This opportunity marked a turning point in his academic and professional journey.

He proceeded to Southampton College, England, where he undertook a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Marine Engineering under the sponsorship of the Rivers State Scholarship Board. As he approached the completion of his studies in 1976, he successfully obtained a work permit from the UK Home Office, enabling him to remain in Britain, gain practical experience, and continue his academic advancement.

Determined to overcome every obstacle before him, he relocated to London, secured employment, and used his earnings to support his educational ambitions. His resilience, discipline, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of education propelled him forward.

In 1978, he enrolled at North East London Polytechnic, later known as North East London University, to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering. After years of hard work and sacrifice, he graduated with Honours in 1982 and returned triumphantly to Nigeria that same year.

His academic journey remains a powerful testament to perseverance, courage, and the determination to succeed despite daunting challenges and uncertainties.

National Service and Academic Career

Upon his return to Nigeria, Engr. Forsman fulfilled his national obligation through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Benin, Edo State, serving from 1983 to 1984.

Thereafter, he worked at the National Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos, between 1984 and 1985, where he contributed to marine and oceanographic research initiatives.

In 1985, he joined the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, now Rivers State University, as a member of the academic staff in the Department of Marine Engineering. He rose to the position of Senior Lecturer, where he distinguished himself as an outstanding educator, mentor, and professional engineer.

During his years in academia, he acquired additional professional certifications and qualifications, strengthening both his expertise and his reputation within engineering circles. His lectures inspired countless students, many of whom later emerged as accomplished engineers and industry leaders.

His passion for teaching was not merely a profession but a calling. He believed strongly in knowledge transfer, practical training, and the development of indigenous engineering capacity.

Leadership at the Petroleum Training Institute

In 1999, Engr. Forsman joined the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Warri, Delta State, as a member of staff in the Department of Welding and Offshore Technology.

His tenure at PTI marked one of the most impactful phases of his professional career. Through vision, innovation, and commitment, he played a pivotal role in strengthening offshore technology education and training within Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

In 2004, he became the Pioneer Coordinator of the Offshore Technology Centre (OTC), a position he held until 2012. Under his leadership, the centre expanded its capacity and relevance in training highly skilled personnel for Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas sector.

Between 2006 and 2008, he served as Head of the Department of Welding and Offshore Technology, providing strategic direction and advancing practical engineering education.

Among his notable achievements was his instrumental role in reviving the School of Diving Programme, thereby helping to rebuild an important training platform for offshore and maritime operations. He also initiated efforts to secure a sea-going vessel for firefighting and rescue operations along Nigeria’s coastline, reflecting his commitment to maritime safety and national capacity development.

Throughout his service at PTI, Engr. Forsman chaired and served on numerous institutional committees, where his expertise, integrity, and leadership contributed immensely to policy development, programme enhancement, and institutional growth.

After decades of meritorious service to education, engineering, and national development, he retired from the Petroleum Training Institute in 2012, leaving behind an enduring legacy of innovation and excellence.

Marriage and Family

Engr. Barugu Peter Forsman first met Madam Helmora Braide Forsman, with whom he had his older children.

He later married Late Dr. Mrs. Bolouebi Paoh Forsman, a distinguished daughter of the Amgba family of Amkiriebiama Compound in Odi Kingdom, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Together, they built a family founded on love, mutual respect, faith, and enduring values.

Social Life and Personal Character

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Engr. Forsman was widely admired for his warm personality and generous spirit. He was highly sociable, approachable, and accommodating, maintaining strong relationships across communities, professional circles, and generations.

A natural extrovert, he possessed the rare ability to make people feel valued and welcomed. He was dependable, compassionate, and ever willing to extend assistance to those in need. To many, he was a trusted adviser, mentor, and friend.

His passion for teaching extended beyond the classroom. He delighted in sharing knowledge, encouraging young people, and helping others discover and develop their potential.

Christian Faith

Engr. Barugu Peter Forsman was a devoted Christian and a committed member of the Catholic faith. His life reflected values of humility, service, integrity, and devotion to God. His faith guided his personal conduct, family life, and professional relationships throughout his lifetime.

Legacy and Passing

The life of Engr. Barugu Peter Forsman stands as a remarkable story of determination, academic excellence, professional distinction, and selfless service. From his early years in Enugu and Lagos to his academic pursuits in the United Kingdom, and from the lecture halls of Rivers State University to the leadership corridors of the Petroleum Training Institute, he consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to progress and nation-building.

He belonged to a generation of pioneering Nigerian engineers who helped lay the foundations for the growth of marine engineering and offshore technology education in the country. His contributions continue to resonate through the countless students, engineers, and professionals whose lives he influenced.

Engr. Barugu Peter Forsman passed on in 2025, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship, leadership, mentorship, and service that will continue to inspire future generations.

He is survived by nine children, eleven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous other relatives and loved ones whose lives were enriched by his wisdom, kindness, and enduring example.

His memory remains a blessing, and his legacy endures in the institutions he strengthened, the people he mentored, and the values he lived by.

Source:

• This biography is compiled from the official funeral brochure provided by Engr. Barugu Peter Forsman family, June 2026 5.