KEY POINTS
- NCDMB and Seplat are establishing a gas research centre at DELSU to boost local content.
- The project will enhance research, innovation, and collaboration in Nigeria’s energy sector.
- It is expected to support MSMEs, skills development, and long-term industrial growth.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and Seplat Energy Plc have intensified efforts to establish a Centre of Excellence in Gas Development at Delta State University (DELSU), as part of a broader strategy to boost research, innovation, and local content in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The initiative, which received approval in 2024, was the focus of a high-level stakeholder meeting held in Abraka, where representatives from both organisations engaged with the university’s leadership on implementation requirements.
According to officials, the project aligns with a national 10-year oil and gas development roadmap developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, aimed at strengthening research capacity and improving linkages within the industry.
Speaking at the meeting, NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, Abdulmalik Halilu, representing Executive Secretary Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said both organisations have agreed on key project components, including infrastructure, equipment, research policy, and long-term sustainability.
He added that a dedicated team of technical experts has been constituted to drive implementation, with internal resources mobilised across research, quality assurance, and operational units.
Strategic Hub for Gas Innovation
On his part, Simeon Ogari, Nigerian Content Manager at Seplat Energy Plc, described the project as strategically important, noting that DELSU’s proximity to the ANOH Gas Processing Plant makes it an ideal location for advanced research.
He explained that the centre would serve as a hub for innovation, technology development, and capacity building within Nigeria’s gas sector.
Ogari also emphasised the adoption of the “Triple Helix Model,” which promotes collaboration between government, academia, and industry as a pathway to sustainable development.
Further insights from Leonard Okafor highlighted existing gaps in Nigeria’s oil and gas ecosystem, particularly weak integration between key sectors. He noted that research centres like the proposed DELSU facility are essential for building technical capacity and strengthening local participation.
Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Samuel Oghenovo Asagba, welcomed the initiative and assured stakeholders of the institution’s readiness to support its successful implementation.
With stakeholder alignment now secured, the centre is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing gas development, enhancing innovation, and driving industrial growth across Nigeria’s energy value chain.
Beyond research, the project is also projected to create opportunities for skills development, entrepreneurship, and participation by local businesses, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), thereby strengthening Nigeria’s push for energy sector localisation.
