By Peace Udugba
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 industry challenges.
Under the Nigerian Content Research and Development (NC-R&D) Professorial Chair Endowment Programme, each of the six beneficiary institutions will receive US$1.5 million to establish specialised research chairs focused on critical industry needs.
The beneficiary institutions are the University of Ibadan, Rivers State University, Modibbo Adama University, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Kano, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.
Speaking at the programme’s kick-off ceremony, NLNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s ability to transform academic knowledge into practical industrial 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 academic institutions.
He said evolving technology and energy systems had made continuous research essential to the future of the energy industry.
According to him, the programme will support research into operational efficiency, emissions management, safety, critical infrastructure and sustainable industrial processes.
Falade also advocated a stronger partnership involving government, industry and academia, popularly known as the “triple helix” model, through specialised programmes, academic exchanges, sabbaticals, practical research testing and joint postgraduate curriculum development.
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.
Falade commended the Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, for his role in advancing the proposed collaboration.
He also revealed that prospective partners, including Google, Cisco and MTN, had indicated interest in supporting the initiative.
The NLNG chief executive urged beneficiary universities to attract additional research funding, strengthen partnerships and pursue the commercialisation of intellectual property.
He said the ultimate objective was to ensure that research findings translated into practical solutions capable of improving industrial performance and developing the next generation of Nigerian researchers and professionals.
In his remarks, NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the US$9 million endowment as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.
Represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Engr. Austin Uzoka, Ogbe said the initiative complements the Board’s investments in research infrastructure, including the establishment of specialised Research and Development Centres of Excellence across six universities.
He explained that the interventions were designed to create an integrated research ecosystem connecting academic expertise, modern research infrastructure, industry requirements and commercialisation opportunities.
Ogbe challenged the universities to move beyond research publications to practical applications that address real industrial challenges.
He said the beneficiary institutions would be expected to deliver clearly defined research objectives, measurable outcomes, prudent resource utilisation, effective stakeholder engagement and sustained collaboration with industry partners.
He added that the professorial chairs should generate commercially viable solutions, strengthen local technological capabilities, improve industrial competitiveness and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Under the programme, the University of Ibadan will focus on natural gas processing, pollution control and environmental management, while Rivers State University will concentrate on digital engineering, intelligent energy systems, automation and asset integrity.
Modibbo Adama University will undertake research in energy transition and the environment, while Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology will focus on sustainable energy innovation and climate-resilient food systems.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, will specialise in green energy production and geoenvironmental engineering, while Yakubu Gowon University will concentrate on geoscience and satellite intelligence for resilient gas infrastructure.
Each institution will operate within agreed research targets and commercialisation frameworks to measure progress and ensure that research findings are translated into practical applications.
The programme will also provide funding for minor civil works and infrastructure upgrades to transform designated facilities into functional research centres.
Additionally, proposed arrangements will allow industry professionals to contribute practical expertise while pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, creating opportunities for stronger links between postgraduate education and industrial problem-solving.
The initiative further reinforces NLNG’s commitment to developing indigenous capacity under its recently approved NextGen Nigerian Content Strategy, which focuses on sustaining previous achievements, enabling deeper adoption of Nigerian Content Development as a business principle and accelerating the growth of local content.
The programme is expected to strengthen collaboration between Nigerian universities and industry while positioning local research institutions to develop solutions that can compete internationally.
Tags: NCDMB, NLNG, Nigerian universities, research funding, Nigerian Content, Adeleye Falade, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, oil and gas industry, technological innovation.
