The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) have committed $9 million to establish professorial research chairs in six Nigerian universities, in a move aimed at strengthening local research capacity, promoting technological innovation and developing practical solutions to challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Under the Nigerian Content Research and Development (NC-R&D) Professorial Chair Endowment Programme, each university will receive $1.5 million to establish a specialised research chair focusing on agreed industry priorities. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the NCDMB under the supervision of its Planning, Research and Statistics Directorate.
The 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.
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Speaking at the programme’s kick-off ceremony, NLNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, described the initiative as an investment in Nigeria’s ability to transform 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 between government, industry and academic institutions.
He noted that technological advancements and changing energy systems make continuous research essential to the future of the energy industry.
“In the energy industry, we understand that technology and energy systems are evolving and the requirement for sustained research cannot be overemphasised,” Falade said.
According to him, the programme will support research into critical industry challenges, including operational efficiency, emissions management, safety improvements, infrastructure maintenance and sustainable industrial processes.
Falade also highlighted opportunities for stronger collaboration between government, industry and universities through specialised training programmes, academic exchanges, sabbaticals, practical research testing and jointly developed postgraduate curricula.
He disclosed that the NLNG Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering (RICCEE), located at Rivers State University, is expected to serve as a coordinating centre for collaboration among the six universities.
He added that discussions were already ongoing with the institution regarding implementation arrangements, while commending its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, for supporting the proposed partnership.
Falade further revealed that companies including Google, Cisco and MTN had indicated interest in supporting the initiative.
“We have already gotten indications of other partners like Google, Cisco and MTN who are showing interest to support this initiative,” he said.
The NLNG managing director encouraged younger researchers to use the opportunity to develop their expertise, investigate industry-related challenges and learn from experienced academics and professionals.
He also urged the beneficiary universities to seek additional research grants, establish stronger partnerships and explore ways of commercialising their intellectual property.
Acknowledging the NCDMB’s contribution to the programme, Falade stressed the need for sustained investment in technology transfer and locally developed solutions while maintaining international standards of quality and safety.
He said the programme’s long-term success would depend on stronger research institutions, practical deployment of research findings and the development of skilled Nigerian professionals.
### NCDMB Highlights Importance of Research Commercialisation
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the $9 million programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.
Represented by the Senior Technical Adviser, Engr. Austin Uzoka, Ogbe explained that the initiative complements the Board’s existing investments in research infrastructure, including the establishment of specialised Research and Development Centres of Excellence across six Nigerian universities.
He said the interventions demonstrate the Nigerian oil and gas industry’s commitment to building an integrated research ecosystem that connects academic expertise, modern infrastructure, industrial requirements and commercialisation opportunities.
Ogbe emphasised that the professorial chairs would help address the longstanding gap between academic research and its practical application in industry.
He challenged the universities to move beyond research conducted primarily for academic publications and focus more on developing solutions that can be applied to real industrial challenges.
According to him, the institutions are expected to deliver clearly defined research objectives, measurable results, responsible utilisation of funds, effective stakeholder engagement and sustained partnerships with industry players.
He added that the research chairs should produce commercially viable solutions, strengthen local technological capabilities, improve industrial competitiveness and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Research Focus Areas Across the Six Universities
The six beneficiary institutions will undertake research in specialised areas relevant to Nigeria’s energy, environmental and technological development.
Their respective research priorities include:
* University of Ibadan: Natural gas processing, pollution control and environmental management.
* Rivers State University: Digital engineering, intelligent energy systems, automation and asset integrity.
* Modibbo Adama University: Energy transition and environmental research.
* Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology: Sustainable energy innovation and climate-resilient food systems.
* University of Nigeria, Nsukka: Green energy production and geoenvironmental engineering.
* Yakubu Gowon University: Geoscience and satellite intelligence for resilient gas infrastructure.
Each institution will work towards agreed research targets and commercialisation plans to ensure that discoveries can be translated into practical applications.
The universities will also jointly establish an information management hub to promote knowledge sharing, research collaboration and academic exchange programmes.
The funding will additionally cover minor construction works and infrastructure upgrades required to transform selected university facilities into specialised research centres.
The programme will also create opportunities for industry professionals to contribute their practical experience while pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, strengthening the relationship between postgraduate education and industrial problem-solving.
NLNG Reaffirms Commitment to Nigerian Content Development
The initiative further reinforces NLNG’s commitment to developing local expertise and creating opportunities for Nigerian professionals to address industry challenges.
The company said the programme aligns with its recently approved NextGen Nigerian Content Strategy, which focuses on sustaining previous achievements, deepening the adoption of Nigerian Content Development as a business principle and accelerating the transformation of the country’s local content sector.
The collaboration between NLNG and NCDMB is expected to strengthen the connection between universities and industry while creating opportunities for Nigerian researchers to develop technologies and solutions that can compete internationally.
The initiative is guided by the principle: “Start Local, Go Global, Think Nigerian Content.”
