KEY POINTS
- ExxonMobil in Nigeria won NAPE’s Corporate Impact Award for R&D at its 50th Jubilee.
- The company has invested over ₦9 billion in geoscience education in Nigerian universities.
- Recognition underscores ExxonMobil’s long-term strategy of linking operations with capacity building.
As ExxonMobil continues to link its long-term presence in Nigeria to larger investments in human capital, the company has recognized its Nigerian affiliates for their contributions to innovation and education in Africa’s largest oil producer.
At the 50th Golden Jubilee Awards of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos, the US energy giant received the Corporate Impact Award for Research & Development. At a ceremony at the Eko Hotel & Suites, where business executives gathered to commemorate 50 years of achievements in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, the award was given out.
Johnbosco Uche, NAPE’s president, handed the award to Nathan Hartshorne, General Manager of Subsurface at ExxonMobil’s Nigerian affiliates, describing the company’s efforts as a “decades-long commitment to research excellence and education in geosciences.”
ExxonMobil’s $9 billion push into geoscience education
ExxonMobil’s long-standing investments in Nigeria’s postsecondary education system are highlighted by the award. Over the past 20 years, the company has invested over ₦9 billion ($6.4 million) through the University Assistance Program (UAP) and the University Partnering Program (UPP) to support geoscience departments across several universities, upgrade infrastructure, and fund workstations.
The honor, according to Jagir Baxi, Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, “confirms the company’s role in building capacity for the country’s energy future.”
“We are committed to advancing Nigeria’s goals by working together, innovating, and utilizing this nation’s extraordinary talent,” he said in a statement.
50 experts and organizations that have influenced Nigeria’s oil and gas sector over the previous 50 years were recognized by NAPE’s Golden Jubilee Awards. The association has become one of the most significant industry organizations in West Africa by playing a key role in promoting professional development, research, and exploration.
Since 1999, ExxonMobil has sponsored management meetings, technical conferences, and exhibits as a corporate member of NAPE. Additionally, company affiliates have received recognition for technical papers they have presented at NAPE’s premier annual events, highlighting their dual roles as knowledge partners and commercial operators.
At a time when Nigeria is under pressure to boost energy investments, balance oil production with gas monetization, and enhance local content, the award represents yet another significant milestone for ExxonMobil. ExxonMobil is indicating that its influence in Nigeria will be gauged not only by barrels produced but also by classrooms furnished and skills developed by connecting its corporate heritage to research and education.
