The continual shortages of petroleum products in Nigeria cripples business activities, resulting to underdevelopment of the economy. The purpose of this multiple case study was to identify the strategic role of human capital in mitigating petroleum shortages in the petroleum supply chain and to sustain business development in Nigeria. The sample for the study included 10 senior leaders from two private-sector Nigerian downstream petroleum supply companies located in the Niger Delta region, who had successfully implemented strategies for petroleum supply. The resource based view theory served as the conceptual framework for the study. Data collection included semistructured face-to-face interviews and review of operational and policy documents from the supply companies. Data were transcribed, analyzed, and validated through member checking and triangulation. The findings indicate that petroleum leaders should be involved in engaging competent personnel, skill and unskilled, roll out programs for training and development, and remunerate employees judiciously. Findings may be used by petroleum business leaders and investors to create effective and efficient human resource management strategies in the supply chain, leading to product availability, sustainability, poverty reduction, and economic development.

petroleum shortages, human resources, business development, Supply chain, Nigerian downstream