Shell and NNPC Commission State-of-Art Research Center at University of Lagos
Shell and NNPC Commission State-of-Art Research Center at University of Lagos
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has inaugurated a Geosciences Centre of Excellence at the University of Lagos. This state-of-the-art learning and research facility aims to advance education and innovation in a critical sector of the Nigerian economy.
Officially commissioned on April 17, the centre is a five-story facility boasting cutting-edge resources for research and learning. It features specialized facilities for studies in hydrogeology, mineralogy, environmental geology, a seismic laboratory, a seismic interpretation room, a library, and a digital museum.
These advanced amenities are expected to support undergraduate and postgraduate education while helping reduce the nation’s reliance on international markets for training, testing, and research needs within the oil and gas industry.
Ronald Adams, Managing Director of SNEPCo, described the centre as a significant and forward-looking initiative, emphasizing its role as an investment in Nigeria’s human capital.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tola Sule, praised the facility for fostering practical learning beyond textbooks. Olanrewaju Igandan, Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, reflected on the centre’s development as a demonstration of how collaboration between industry players, regulators, and academia can drive national advancement.
Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB—represented by Director of Capacity Building Abayomi Bamidele—stated that the true measure of the centre’s success would lie in its impact: its ability to produce highly skilled graduates, generate quality research, and deliver innovative solutions to industry challenges.
University of Lagos Vice Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola outlined ambitious goals for the facility. She explained that it would not only offer advanced research and analytical services aligned with global standards but also provide various educational opportunities, such as degree programmes, short courses, professional certifications, and executive training tailored to address industry, government, and international demands.
The project, originally conceived in 2010, was executed by an indigenous contractor, 225MM Construct Limited. Construction also served as an educational opportunity for students from institutions including the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, the University of Ilorin, and Yaba College of Technology.
These students participated in internships during the building process, gaining hands-on technical experience. This Centre of Excellence represents another milestone in SNEPCo and its partners’ longstanding commitment to supporting education in Nigeria. Their initiatives include scholarship programmes, donations of science laboratories to secondary schools nationwide, and the establishment of e-learning centres at universities in Delta, Enugu, Edo, and Bayelsa states.
