World-Class Oil And Gas Research Centre: DELSU VC Lauds NCDMB, Seplat

By Patrick Ijeh

Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga has expressed his gratitude for the initiative by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Seplat Energy PLC to establish a world-class oil and gas research centre at the university.

The Vice-Chancellor announced this while hosting a combined team from NCDMB and Seplat, who paid him a courtesy visit at the university’s main campus on Thursday.

Prof. Egwunyenga expressed his happiness that the university was selected from all universities in Delta State as the host institution for the proposed world-class research center without having to solicit for it.

He described this as a significant recognition of Delta State University, Abraka, as the premier university in Delta State, and according to recent rankings of universities in Nigeria, the best state university in the South-South and South-East regions, the fourth best state university in Nigeria, and the 18th best among the 284 universities and research institutes in the country.

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He informed the visitors that the university currently has thirteen faculties with eighty-three academic programmes that are all fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the proposed oil and gas research centre will enhance the university’s contribution to national development through high-quality research and teaching, help build lecturers’ capacity and expand the frontiers of excellence the university is known for promoting.

Speaking at the occasion, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, the leader of the delegation and General Manager (Research and Statistics) of NCDMB, stated that the agency chose to establish its research center at Delta State University as part of its commitment to collaborate with a prominent university in the region.

He revealed that the collaboration aims to promote research, facilitate the patent registration of innovations from these studies, and develop the capacity of university researchers to attract research grants.

He expressed the optimism that the partnership will elevate the profile of the university globally and enhance its effectiveness in research and teaching.

Alhaji Halilu pointed out that the NCDMB will take full responsibility for equipping and running the research centre while the university will be expected to provide a suitable building for it.

The Vice-Chancellor immediately led the visitors round the campus to inspect potential buildings for the research centre from where the team identified one of the buildings inspected as suitable and promised to commence wok immediately.