Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has entered into strategic partnership with the University of Ilorin (Unilorin)
to bridge the gap between academia and the energy industry with the establishment of a joint strategic committee.
The partnership, according to the parties aims to birth a groundbreaking Centre of Excellence dedicated to practical engineering and technology-driven research.
The collaboration was consolidated during a high-level meeting at the NNPC Towers in Abuja last Wednesday, led by the Vice-Chancellor of UNILORIN, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, and the NNPCL Managing Director/CEO, Bashir Bayo Ojulari.
A primary focus of the partnership is the proposed establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the University of Ilorin. If finalised, the facility is expected to be the first of its kind in West Africa, focusing on the practical application of engineering theories to solve real-world energy challenges.
To ensure sustained academic focus on the energy sector, the meeting explored establishing an NNPCL Professorial Chair at the university.
This role is intended to synchronise the academic curriculum with current industry trends, ensuring that graduates are equipped with market-ready skills.
The newly formed committee has been given a four-week deadline to refine the technical details, funding structures, and operational framework of the partnership.
The collaboration is viewed as a strategic move to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign technical expertise in the petroleum sector.
By investing in indigenous research and advanced engineering facilities, NNPCL and UNILORIN aim to drive a “knowledge-led” transformation of the Nigerian energy industry.
Kunle Akogun, the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, noted that the presence of high-ranking officials from both the administrative and engineering faculties underscores the university’s holistic commitment to the success of the project.