Initiative targets industry-driven research, technological innovation, commercialisation of intellectual property and stronger collaboration between academia and the oil and gas industry.
By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) have committed US$9 million to establish professorial research chairs in six Nigerian universities as part of efforts to strengthen local research capacity, promote technological innovation and develop commercially viable solutions to challenges in the oil and gas industry.
Under the Nigerian Content Research and Development (NC-R&D) Professorial Chair Endowment Programme, each beneficiary university will receive US$1.5 million to establish a specialised research chair focused on agreed industry priorities.
According to a statement jointly signed by Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, and Obinna Ezeobi, PhD, General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, NCDMB, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application.
The six beneficiary institutions are the University of Ibadan, Oyo State; Rivers State University; Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Kano State; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State; and Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.
Speaking at the programme’s kick-off ceremony, NLNG’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, described the endowment as an investment in Nigeria’s ability to translate academic knowledge into practical solutions.
In his keynote address titled, “Reshaping Nigeria’s Future Through Innovation, Research and Capacity Development,” Falade stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among government, industry and academia.
He identified operational efficiency, emissions management, industrial safety, critical infrastructure integrity and sustainable industrial processes as key areas where research could address emerging challenges in the energy industry.
Falade also advocated a triple-helix approach that would bring government, industry and universities together through specialised programmes, academic sabbaticals, exchange opportunities, practical testing of research findings and joint development of postgraduate curricula.
He disclosed that the NLNG Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering (RICCEE) at Rivers State University would serve as a coordinating point for collaboration among the six institutions.
According to him, discussions with the university had commenced on implementation arrangements. He also disclosed that Google, Cisco and MTN had indicated interest in supporting the initiative.
The NLNG chief executive urged the beneficiary universities to strengthen research partnerships, attract additional grants and funding, and commercialise intellectual property generated through the programme.
He emphasised that the endowment should produce home-grown technological solutions, facilitate technology transfer and develop the next generation of Nigerian researchers and industry professionals.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the US$9 million programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.
Represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Engr. Austin Uzoka, Ogbe said the initiative complemented the Board’s investments in research infrastructure, including specialised Research and Development Centres of Excellence across six Nigerian universities.
He explained that the interventions would create an integrated research ecosystem connecting academic expertise, modern research infrastructure, industry requirements and commercialisation opportunities.
Ogbe challenged the universities to move from research for publication to research for application and use innovation to drive industrial transformation.
He said the institutions must deliver clearly defined research objectives, measurable outcomes, prudent resource utilisation, effective stakeholder engagement and sustained collaboration with industry partners.
Under the programme, the University of Ibadan will research natural gas processing, pollution control and environmental management, while Rivers State University will focus on digital engineering, intelligent energy systems, automation and asset integrity.
Modibbo Adama University will concentrate on energy transition and the environment. Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology will research sustainable energy innovation and climate-resilient food systems.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, will focus on green energy production and geoenvironmental engineering, while Yakubu Gowon University will undertake research in geoscience and satellite intelligence for resilient gas infrastructure.
The funding will also support minor civil works and infrastructure upgrades to equip designated spaces as specialised research centres. The universities will jointly host an information management hub to promote knowledge sharing and exchange programmes.
The proposed arrangements will also allow industry professionals to contribute practical expertise while pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, thereby strengthening the connection between postgraduate education and industrial problem-solving.
The programme aligns with NLNG’s recently approved NextGen Nigerian Content Strategy, which focuses on sustaining previous commitments, deepening Nigerian Content Development as a business principle and accelerating the transformation of local content development.
NLNG reaffirmed its commitment to developing local expertise and supporting Nigerian professionals to address industry challenges under its guiding principle: “Start Local, Go Global, Think Nigerian Content.”
