Minister hails partnership with University as critical to HCD development

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo has hailed the longstanding collaboration between the Robert Gordon University and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), noting that the partnership is pivotal to Nigeria’s human capital development in the energy sector.

The Minister stated this on Tuesday, during a visit to the University in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he also praised the PTDF Split-Site PhD Programme, noting that it provides a unique opportunity for scholars to gain international exposure, while maintaining strong academic and research ties to Nigeria.

The Minister explained that the programme represents a strategic approach to capacity building, as it enables participants to undertake part of their studies abroad and complete them locally, thereby ensuring that acquired knowledge is tailored to Nigeria’s specific energy needs and development priorities.

He further emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging its vast gas resources as a transition fuel to drive industrialisation, improve energy access, and support a lower-carbon future.

He also reassured the University of Nigeria’s commitment to honouring all existing agreements with PTDF, expressing confidence that strengthened partnerships with the institution would continue to promote innovation, research excellence and the development of a resilient energy sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.