The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) have launched a $9 million professorial chair endowment across six Nigerian universities to turn academic research into commercially viable solutions for the oil and gas industry.
Under the Nigerian Content Research and Development (NC-R&D) Professorial Chair Endowment Programme, each university is expected to receive $1.5 million to establish a specialised chair focused on agreed industry priorities.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with NCDMB, under the supervision of its Planning, Research and Statistics Directorate.
The university of Ibadan under the grant is expected to focus on
Natural gas processing, pollution control and environmental management research while the Rivers State University will concentrate on
Digital engineering, intelligent energy systems, automation and asset integrity
The Modibbo Adama University, Yola will drive research on
Energy transition and the environment, with the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Kano focusing on
Sustainable energy innovation and climate-resilient food systems
University of Nigeria, Nsukka on the other hand will lead in
Green energy production and geoenvironmental engineering, and finally University of Abuja (Yakubu Gowon University) focusing on
Geoscience and satellite intelligence for resilient gas infrastructure
Rivers State University will host the NLNG Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering (RICCEE) , which will serve as the coordinating point for collaboration among the six universities.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, NLNG Managing Director and CEO, *Adeleye Falade*, described the programme as an investment in Nigeria’s capacity to translate academic knowledge into practical solutions.
In his keynote address titled “Reshaping Nigeria’s Future Through Innovation, Research and Capacity Development,”_ Falade said sustained research is critical as technology and energy systems evolve.
“In the energy industry, we understand that technology and energy systems are evolving and the requirement for sustained research cannot be overemphasised.”
He said the chairs will support research into improving operational efficiency, managing emissions, strengthening safety, maintaining critical infrastructure, and making industrial processes more sustainable.
Falade also proposed a *”triple helix”* model — government, industry, and academia working together through specialised programmes, sabbaticals, exchange opportunities, practical testing of research, and joint development of postgraduate curricula.
He disclosed that discussions are already underway with Rivers State University on implementation, and commended its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, for his role.
He added that other partners, including *Google, Cisco and MTN , have shown interest in supporting the initiative.
“Expand the scope, reach for more grants and funding which can push the frontiers of knowledge and commercialisation of intellectual property.”
In his remarks, NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe said the $9 million endowment is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.
He said it complements the Board’s ongoing investments in R&D Centres of Excellence across the six universities.
“Taken together, these interventions demonstrate the Nigerian oil and gas industry’s commitment to creating an integrated research ecosystem that connects academic expertise, modern research infrastructure, industry requirements, and commercialization opportunities.”
Ogbe said the programme will bridge the longstanding gap between academic research and industrial application.
He charged the universities to move from research for publication to research for application, and from innovation as an academic pursuit to innovation as a driver of industrial transformation.
“The beneficiary universities must see this endowment as both an opportunity and a responsibility.”
He said they will be expected to deliver clearly defined research objectives, measurable outcomes, prudent use of funds, effective stakeholder engagement, and sustained collaboration with industry.
“These professorial chairs will generate commercially viable solutions, strengthen local technological capabilities, support industrial competitiveness, and contribute meaningfully to the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”
Beyond research, the funding includes provision for minor civil works and infrastructure upgrades to transform identified spaces into fit-for-purpose research centres.
The universities will also jointly host an information management hub to support knowledge sharing and exchange programmes.
Under proposed arrangements, industry professionals will be able to contribute practical expertise while pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees — giving students greater exposure to industry experience.
