Sopuruchi Onwuka

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Seplat Energy Plc have advanced plans for the take-off of a Centre of Excellence in Gas Development at Delta State University (DELSU), following a high-level engagement with the university’s management and principal officers.

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The meeting, held at the DELSU campus in Abraka, brought together senior officials from NCDMB and Seplat alongside the university leadership to finalize critical processes required to operationalize the center, which was approved by the Board in 2024.

The proposed facility is part of a broader network of specialized research centers already established across Nigerian universities, including at Niger Delta University, Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University of Technology Akure, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Modibbo Adama University, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University.

The centers are outcomes of a 10-year research and development roadmap commissioned by NCDMB and developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, aimed at strengthening local capacity and deepening technological innovation in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Speaking at the meeting, NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, who represented the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said extensive engagements between the Board and Seplat since 2024 had ensured that the DELSU project is backed by a clearly defined scope covering infrastructure, equipment, research policy, capacity development and long-term sustainability.

He disclosed that both NCDMB and Seplat have endorsed the full project scope and are ready to commence implementation, with a team of technical experts already assembled to oversee delivery. According to him, the Board has also strengthened its internal project team by adding senior personnel to ensure that execution meets expectations.

Halilu reaffirmed the commitment of the NCDMB leadership to the project, noting that the Board has deployed expertise across quality assurance, research and development, and operational units to support both the construction and long-term success of the centre.

On the part of industry, Seplat’s Nigerian Content Manager, Mr. Simeon Ogari, said the company selected DELSU for the project due to its proximity to its operational base, including the ANOH Gas Processing Plant, a major gas infrastructure asset operated in partnership with the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company.

He said the centre is expected to serve as a hub for advanced research, technology development and innovation in gas, benefiting not only the university but the wider oil and gas industry and the Nigerian economy.

Ogari emphasized the importance of collaboration in ensuring the center’s success, pointing to the “triple helix” model that brings together government, academia and industry as a proven framework for research excellence globally.

Providing further insight into the initiative, Mr. Leonard Okafor, Chief Executive Officer of GOSHEN, the project’s management firm, said the PwC study that underpins the program identified critical gaps in Nigeria’s oil and gas ecosystem, including weak linkages between sectors and insufficient local content integration.

He said the establishment of centers of excellence is designed to address these gaps by strengthening five key pillars: collaboration, infrastructure, capability, commercial and legal frameworks, and funding.

Okafor added that host institutions are expected to provide qualified research staff, administrative support, and key policy frameworks, including research, finance and procurement policies, to ensure effective operation of the centers.

Responding, DELSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Oghenovo Asagba, welcomed the initiative and assured the partners of the university’s readiness to meet all requirements for a successful launch. He highlighted the institution’s research capacity, noting that it was recently ranked among the top state universities in Nigeria and has strong academic expertise in science and engineering disciplines.

Other NCDMB officials at the meeting reiterated the Board’s commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes, with the General Manager of Quality Assurance, Mr. Chris Osuji, stating that strict oversight would be maintained from project inception through completion.

The Centre of Excellence in Gas Development at DELSU is expected to further reinforce NCDMB’s central role in driving research, development and technological innovation in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Through its expanding network of specialized centers across the country, the Board continues to position itself at the forefront of capacity building, with a focus on developing local expertise, supporting industry needs, and advancing Nigeria’s long-term energy ambitions.