Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, has intensified efforts to build Nigeria’s energy research capacity with the commencement of a four-day Computational Catalysis Workshop at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, aimed at equipping researchers with advanced tools critical to the future of energy innovation and transition technologies.
The workshop, organized under the PTDF Professorial Endowment Chair in the Department of Chemical Engineering, brings together academics, researchers, and students to explore cutting-edge computational techniques that are reshaping catalysis research, chemical engineering processes, and emerging energy solutions.
The initiative comes as Nigeria seeks to deepen local research capabilities and develop indigenous expertise needed to compete in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape increasingly driven by technology, cleaner fuels, and industrial innovation.
Leading the programme, Professor Abdulazeez Yusuf Attah said the workshop was designed to expose participants to innovative computational tools that are transforming scientific research and industrial applications in catalysis and energy-related fields.
He noted that computational catalysis has become a strategic area of research globally, providing scientists with the ability to model, predict, and optimize chemical processes that underpin fuel production, petrochemicals, and energy transition technologies.
Representing the Executive Secretary of PTDF, the General Manager, Education and Training Department, Mrs. Rabi’ah Waziri-Adamu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s human capital base through targeted investments in research, innovation, and advanced training.
According to her, “The PTDF remains committed to driving impactful research, capacity development, and knowledge sharing through the Endowment Chair Programme.”
She explained that the Fund recognizes the critical role of research and innovation in enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the energy industry and ensuring that local institutions contribute meaningfully to solving industry challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Adamu Ahmed, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Bello Sabo, stressed the importance of developing homegrown expertise to support national growth and technological advancement.
“Indigenous knowledge and local expertise remain the foundation of sustainable national development and technological advancement,” Sabo said.
He added that universities must continue to serve as hubs for innovation and research capable of providing solutions to the country’s industrial and energy challenges.
The workshop underscores PTDF’s broader strategy of investing in high-level research and human capital development to position Nigeria for emerging opportunities in the energy transition era.
It also highlights the Fund’s efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry by promoting research capable of driving innovation, scientific excellence, and sustainable growth across the nation’s oil, gas, and energy sectors.
