Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have committed nine million dollars (N12.78 billion) to establish professional research chairs in six Nigerian universities.
The beneficiary institutions are the University of Ibadan, Rivers State University (RSU), Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUST), Kano; University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka-Enugu; and University of Abuja (UniAbuja).
The NLNG Managing Director, Mr Adeleye Falade, made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
The statement was jointly issued by Mrs Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, and Dr Obinna Ezeobi, NCDMB’s General Manager, Corporate Communications Division.
The initiative, with theme: “Reshaping Nigeria’s Future Through Innovation, Research and Capacity Development”, is designed to strengthen local research capacity and develop practical solutions to industry challenges.
Falade said each beneficiary university would receive 1.5 million dollars (N2.13 billion) under the Nigerian Content Research and Development Professorial Chair Endowment Programme.
He said the programme was being implemented in partnership with NCDMB under the supervision of its Directorate of Planning, Research and Statistics.
Falade described the endowment as an investment in Nigeria’s capacity to translate academic knowledge into practical solutions through collaboration among government, industry and universities.
“The research will address industry challenges, including operational efficiency, emissions management, safety, critical infrastructure and sustainable industrial processes,” he said.
The NLNG managing director said the initiative would promote collaboration through specialised programmes, academic exchanges, sabbaticals, practical research and joint postgraduate curriculum development.
He said the six universities would undertake research in different areas, with the NLNG Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering at Rivers state university serving as the coordinating centre.
Falade said discussions were ongoing with the university on implementation arrangements and commended its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, for supporting the collaboration.
He disclosed that prospective partners, including Google, Cisco and MTN, had indicated interest in supporting the initiative.
Falade urged beneficiary institutions to attract additional research grants, strengthen partnerships and commercialise intellectual property developed through the programme.
He also called for sustained commitment to technology transfer and home-grown solutions without compromising quality assurance and safety.
Also speaking, NCDMB Executive Secretary, Mr Felix Ogbe urged the universities to prioritise practical research capable of addressing challenges in the oil and gas industry.
Ogbe described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.
“The interventions would connect academic expertise, modern research infrastructure, industry needs and commercialisation opportunities,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the professorial chairs would help bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application.
The NCDMB boss urged the beneficiary institutions to move from research for publication to research for practical application and industrial transformation.
Ogbe said the universities would be expected to deliver measurable research outcomes, ensure prudent resource utilisation and sustain collaboration with industry partners.
“They will work towards agreed research targets and commercialisation pathways to ensure practical application of their findings.
“The arrangement will strengthen the relationship between postgraduate education and practical industry problem-solving,” he said.
He said the funding would cover research centre infrastructure upgrades and create opportunities for industry professionals to contribute practical expertise while pursuing postgraduate degrees.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, under the programme, the University of Ibadan will focus on natural gas processing, pollution control and environmental management.
RSU will undertake research in digital engineering, intelligent energy systems, automation and asset integrity, while MAU will focus on energy transition and the environment.
ADUST is to research on sustainable energy innovation and climate-resilient food systems; UNN will specialise in green energy production and geoenvironmental engineering, while UniAbuja will focus on geoscience and satellite intelligence for resilient gas infrastructure. (NAN)
