By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
Key management staff of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and Seplat Energy Plc have intensified efforts toward the take-off of a Centre of Excellence in Gas Development at Delta State University (DELSU), following a high-level meeting with the institution’s principal officers in Abraka, Delta State.
The Centre, approved by NCDMB in 2024, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen research and development (R&D) capacity in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The initiative aligns with recommendations from a 10-year R&D roadmap developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), aimed at deepening local content and enhancing industry innovation.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director of Corporate Services at NCDMB, Abdulmalik Halilu, who represented the Executive Secretary Felix Omatsola Ogbe, noted that extensive engagements between NCDMB and Seplat since 2024 have helped define the scope of the project.
He explained that the Centre will focus on critical areas including infrastructure, advanced equipment, capacity development, research policy, and long-term sustainability. According to him, both organisations have endorsed the project framework and assembled a team of technical experts to drive implementation.
Halilu reaffirmed the commitment of the Board’s leadership, stating that full support has been deployed across quality assurance, research, and operational units to ensure successful execution.
On his part, Seplat’s Nigerian Content Manager, Simeon Ogari, said DELSU was selected due to its proximity to the company’s operational base, including the ANOH Gas Processing Plant, a joint venture with the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company.
He emphasised that the Centre would serve as a hub for advanced research, technology incubation, and industry collaboration. Ogari highlighted the importance of the “Triple Helix Model,” which integrates government, academia, and the private sector in driving innovation and sustainable development.
Providing further insight, Leonard Okafor, CEO of GOSHEN—the project’s management firm—said PwC’s research revealed gaps in Nigeria’s economic structure, particularly weak intersectoral linkages. He explained that the Centre is designed to address these gaps by promoting collaboration, improving infrastructure, strengthening capability, and enhancing funding and legal frameworks within the sector.
Okafor added that the success of the project would depend heavily on collaboration with highly qualified academic researchers and the availability of institutional support systems, including research policies and administrative structures.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Samuel Oghenovo Asagba, expressed appreciation to NCDMB and Seplat for choosing the university. He assured stakeholders of the institution’s readiness to meet all requirements for the project’s successful take-off.
Asagba noted that DELSU boasts a strong pool of academic talent, particularly in science and engineering, capable of supporting the Centre’s research objectives. He also referenced the university’s recognition by Times Higher Education in 2026 as the best state-owned university in Nigeria.
Also speaking, NCDMB’s General Manager, Quality Assurance, Chris Osuji, said his department would ensure high standards throughout the project lifecycle, from inception to completion.
In a vote of thanks, the Board’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Silas Ajimijaye, commended Seplat for its funding support and urged DELSU to maximise the opportunity to enhance its global academic reputation.
Similarly, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Douglason Omotor, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to providing skilled academics and administrators to ensure effective collaboration.
The proposed Centre adds to a growing network of similar institutions established across Nigeria, positioning DELSU as a key hub for gas development research and innovation in the Niger Delta region.
