Sopuruchi Onwuka

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has expressed excitement at the state-of-the-art Geosciences Centre of Excellence at the University of Lagos, declaring it as an enduring value that transcends mere infrastructural development.

In a sector where the NCDMB has highlighted expertise as critical to its mandate on local capacity development, the facility aligns with the goal of developing homegrown capacity for reshaping the future of Nigeria’s energy industry for years to come.

Executive Secretary, Engr Felix Ogbe, stated at the commissioning of the facility which was developed by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the NCDM, Engr Ogbe made it clear that the true value of the centre would lie in its long-term impact.

In his remarks delivered at the event by the Director of Capacity Building at the NCDMB, Mr Abayomi Bamidele, Engr Ogbe noted that success would be measured beyond infrastructure.

“The success of this centre will not be measured by its structure, but by its impact — the number of skilled graduates produced, the quality of research generated, and the solutions it provides to industry challenges,” he said.

SNEPCO which developed the facility as part of its traditional interventions in industry capacity building effort stated that Geoscience Center of Excellence forms a major boost to Nigeria’s oil and gas education and research capacity.

SNEPCO stated that the project is driven by industry collaboration and long-term investment in human capital.

Designed as a world-class learning and research hub, the centre is expected to play a key role in strengthening Nigeria’s technical capabilities in geosciences, a critical area for the country’s energy sector.

The newly unveiled structure stands as an impressive five-level complex equipped with modern learning and research facilities, including specialized laboratories for hydrogeology, mineralogy, and environmental geology, as well as a seismic laboratory and interpretation room.

The centre also houses a well-equipped library and a digital museum, providing students and researchers with access to both physical and virtual learning resources.

Beyond its physical structure, Shell stated, the facility is intended to support both undergraduate and postgraduate training while reducing the industry’s dependence on foreign institutions for testing, research, and professional development.

Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mr Ronald Adams, described the project as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future.

“This centre represents a long-term investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset, its people,” he declared.

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who welcomed the initiative, notining its potential to transform learning and knowledge.

The Governor who was represented at the commissioning ceremony by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tola Sule, said the facility would reshape how students engage with knowledge.

“It will create an environment where students don’t just learn from textbooks but by doing,” he said.

Project partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, pointed out that the project reflects the strength of collaboration across sectors.

Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Olanrewaju Igandan, described the handover as a clear demonstration of what is possible when key stakeholders align around a shared goal.

“It is a testament to what can be achieved when industry, regulators, and academia work together with a shared vision for national development,” he said.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Folasade Ogunsola, said the centre is a transformative addition to academic and research capacity; highlighting its potential of the facility to help the institution meet global standards.

She said the centre will offer advanced analytical and interpretative services while supporting a range of academic and professional programs, including degree courses, customized short courses, professional certifications, and executive training for industry needs and international partnerships.

Shell explained that the project has a long gestation period, having been originally conceived in 2010. The company added that the project’s execution was handled by indigenous firm 225MM Construct Limited, reflecting a commitment to local capacity development not just in education, but also in project delivery.

Shell stated that students from several Nigerian institutions, including the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the University of Ilorin, and Yaba College of Technology participated in the construction process through internship programs. It added that the work experience for students was a further demonstration of its commitment to building local industry capacity and providing Nigerian students with hands-on technical experience and direct exposure to large-scale project execution.

“The Geosciences Centre of Excellence represents the latest addition to a broader portfolio of educational support initiatives by SNEPCo and its partners. Over the years, these have included scholarship programs, the donation of science laboratories to secondary schools across the country, and the establishment of e-learning centers in universities located in Delta, Enugu, Edo, and Bayelsa states.

“With its combination of advanced facilities, industry backing, and academic integration, the new centre is expected to bridge the gap between theory and practice while positioning Nigeria to build a stronger, self-reliant pipeline of geoscience professionals,” Shell stated.