The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have committed $9 million to strengthen research, technological innovation and academic development in six Nigerian universities.

Under the Nigerian Content Research and Development (NC-R&D) Professorial Chair Endowment Programme, each of the beneficiary institutions will receive $1.5 million to establish specialised research chairs focused on addressing challenges in the oil and gas industry.

The six universities selected for the initiative are the University of Ibadan, Rivers State University, Modibbo Adama University in Yola, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Kano, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, NLNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, described the initiative as an investment in Nigeria’s ability to transform academic research into practical solutions for industrial development.

He explained that the programme would address critical issues within the energy sector, including operational efficiency, emissions management, industrial safety, infrastructure maintenance and sustainable production processes.

Falade also emphasised the importance of stronger partnerships between government, universities and private-sector organisations, noting that collaboration would help researchers develop solutions that respond to actual industry needs.

He disclosed that the NLNG Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering at Rivers State University would serve as the coordinating hub for research activities involving the six institutions.

According to him, discussions were ongoing with the university regarding implementation arrangements, while potential partners such as Google, Cisco and MTN had also expressed interest in supporting the initiative.

The NLNG chief executive encouraged the beneficiary universities to attract additional research funding, expand their partnerships and ensure that discoveries made through the programme could be developed into commercially viable products and services.

He further stressed the need to strengthen technology transfer and promote locally developed solutions without compromising quality and safety standards.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the $9 million endowment as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s research and innovation capacity.

Ogbe said the initiative would complement the board’s existing investments in research infrastructure, including specialised research and development centres established across six universities.

He explained that the programme was designed to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application by connecting university expertise with the practical requirements of the oil and gas sector.

He urged the participating institutions to focus on measurable research outcomes and solutions that could improve local technological capacity, industrial competitiveness and the sustainability of Nigeria’s energy industry.

Under the programme, each university will concentrate on specific research areas.

The University of Ibadan will focus on natural gas processing, pollution control and environmental management, while Rivers State University will undertake research in digital engineering, intelligent energy systems, automation and asset integrity.

Modibbo Adama University will concentrate on energy transition and environmental studies, while Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology will research sustainable energy innovation and climate-resilient food systems.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, will focus on green energy production and geoenvironmental engineering, while Yakubu Gowon University will undertake research in geoscience and satellite intelligence for resilient gas infrastructure.

The programme is expected to strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and the energy industry while creating opportunities for young researchers, postgraduate students and Nigerian professionals to contribute to technological advancement and industrial development.