By Ejire Folakunmi
Nigeria’s push to strengthen local capacity in the oil and gas sector received a major boost as Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, in partnership with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, commissioned a state-of-the-art Geosciences Centre of Excellence at the University of Lagos.
The newly unveiled facility, a five-storey complex, is designed as a world-class hub for teaching, research, and innovation in geosciences. It features specialised laboratories for hydrogeology, mineralogy, and environmental geology, alongside a seismic laboratory, interpretation room, digital museum, and a modern library.
The centre is expected to support both undergraduate and postgraduate training while reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign institutions for advanced testing and research.
Managing Director of SNEPCo, Ronald Adams, described the project as a long-term investment in human capital, stressing that the initiative reflects a commitment to building technical expertise within the country.
Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Commissioner for Tertiary Education Tola Sule noted that the facility would transform learning by enabling students to gain practical, hands-on experience beyond theoretical instruction.
On the industry side, Olanrewaju Igandan of NNPC’s upstream investment arm described the project as proof of what collaboration between industry, regulators, and academia can achieve when aligned with national development goals.
SNEPCo, NNPC, NCDMB commission geosciences centre of excellenceSimilarly, Abayomi Bamidele, who represented NCDMB Executive Secretary Felix Ogbe, emphasised that the true value of the centre would be measured by the quality of graduates it produces and the solutions it delivers to industry challenges.
Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Folasade Ogunsola, said the facility is positioned to meet international standards, offering advanced research services, professional certifications, and tailored training programmes for industry stakeholders and government agencies.
Originally conceived in 2010, the project was executed by indigenous firm 225MM Construct Limited, with students from multiple institutions, including Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, and Yaba College of Technology, participating through internship programmes that provided hands-on construction experience.
The centre adds to a growing list of educational interventions by SNEPCo and its partners, including scholarships, science laboratory donations, and e-learning infrastructure across several Nigerian universities.
Stakeholders say the latest development could play a pivotal role in shaping a new generation of skilled professionals capable of driving innovation and sustainability in Nigeria’s energy sector.