Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has officially handed over a Geosciences Centre of Excellence at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The facility is designed to serve as a world-class hub for learning and research in the oil and gas sector, a critical component of Nigeria's economy.
State-of-the-Art Facility Commissioned
The centre, which was commissioned on April 17, is a five-story building equipped with cutting-edge learning and research amenities. These include specialized laboratories for hydrogeology, mineralogy, and environmental geology, as well as a seismic laboratory and interpretation room. Additionally, the facility houses a library and a digital museum, all aimed at supporting both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. A key objective is to reduce the Nigerian oil and gas industry's dependence on international markets for testing, training, and research activities.
Stakeholder Remarks at the Ceremony
During the commissioning ceremony, SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams emphasized that the centre represents a long-term investment in Nigeria's most valuable resource: its people. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Tertiary Education Tola Sule, noted that the building will create an environment where students learn through practical experience rather than solely from textbooks. Olanrewaju Igandan, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, described the handover as a testament to the achievements possible when industry, regulators, and academia unite with a shared vision for national development.
Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, represented by Director of Capacity Building Abayomi Bamidele, stated that the centre's success will be measured by its impact rather than its structure. He highlighted that key metrics include the number of skilled graduates produced, the quality of research generated, and the solutions provided to industry challenges. UNILAG Vice Chancellor Folasade Ogunsola outlined expectations for the facility, noting that it will provide advanced analytical, interpretative, and research services meeting international standards. The centre will also offer degree programs, customized short courses, professional certifications, and executive training tailored to the needs of industry, government agencies, and international partners.
Project Background and Impact
Conceived in 2010, the project was executed by indigenous firm 225MM Construct Limited. During construction, students from the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, and Yaba College of Technology participated as interns, gaining hands-on technical experience and exposure to project execution. The centre represents the latest milestone in SNEPCo's broader educational support initiatives, implemented with its partners. These initiatives include scholarships, donation of science laboratories to secondary schools nationwide, and construction of e-learning centres in universities across Delta, Enugu, Edo, and Bayelsa states.
