Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, and the Air Force Institute of Technology, AFIT, have moved to strengthen their long-standing partnership in human capital development, research and technological advancement, with both institutions exploring new areas of collaboration beyond traditional scholarship programmes.
This was disclosed when the Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Professor Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, at the PTDF Towers in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Ademuwagun congratulated Professor Aliyu on his recent appointment as Executive Secretary of the Fund, expressing confidence in his ability to advance PTDF’s mandate.
“His reputation precedes him,” the AFIT Commandant said, while commending Professor Aliyu’s distinguished record of service and leadership credentials.
The delegation also highlighted the productive relationship between PTDF and AFIT, particularly in capacity development initiatives, and expressed interest in renewing and expanding the existing Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between both institutions.
According to Ademuwagun, strengthening the partnership would create greater opportunities for skills development, research and technological innovation in strategic sectors of the economy.
Responding, Professor Aliyu reaffirmed PTDF’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s human capital base and supporting institutions that contribute to national technological advancement.
He assured the delegation that the Fund would continue to deepen collaboration with AFIT in pursuit of shared development objectives.
“PTDF remains committed to human capital development and capacity building, and we will continue to strengthen our collaboration with AFIT in pursuit of our shared goals,” Aliyu said.
The PTDF boss disclosed that the Fund was exploring broader partnership opportunities beyond its conventional intervention programmes and scholarship schemes.
According to him, PTDF is seeking strategic alliances that will support key initiatives, including the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna, while also safeguarding the Fund’s long-term corporate interests.
“We are exploring additional areas of collaboration beyond our traditional intervention programmes and scholarship schemes. PTDF is particularly interested in leveraging strategic partnerships to support key initiatives such as the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna,” he stated.
Aliyu added that such partnerships would help create sustainable platforms for excellence in petroleum and energy education, while strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to meet evolving industry demands.
