Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has established six Centres of Excellence across Nigerian universities to drive research, innovation, and human capital development in oil and gas.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, while positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for oilfield technology and knowledge transfer.
The Centres of Excellence which cut across the six geo-political zones in the country are in Niger Delta University, Adamawa University of Technology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University of Technology Akure, Usman Danfodio University, and Federal University of Technology Owerri.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the centres were strategically sited to cover critical areas such as gas studies, engineering design, welding technology, and safety management.
Ogbe represented by the Mr. Omomehin Ajimajiye, NCDMB Acting General Manager, Midstream Monitoring and Evaluation, spoke recently at a strategic engagement with media practitioners and youth stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“We deliberately partnered with leading universities because sustainable local content cannot thrive without research and innovation. These Centres of Excellence will groom the next generation of oil and gas experts,” Ogbe said.
He disclosed that the centres have been equipped with modern facilities to conduct applied research and provide industry-driven training to students and professionals.
According to him, partnerships with international oil companies and service providers will ensure the centres contribute to solving industry challenges.
“We want our universities to stop being theoretical enclaves. With this intervention, they are now solution providers for the oil and gas industry,” Ogbe explained.
