NCDMB, Seplat To Establish World-Class Research Centre At DELSU

By Patrick Ijeh 

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Seplat Energy PLC have disclosed plans to establish a world-class oil and gas research centre at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.

The plan was disclosed when a combined team from NCDMB and Seplat paid a courtesy visit to the university’s main campus on Thursday.

At the visit, the Vice-Chancellor of DELSU, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga expressed happiness that the university was selected from all universities in Delta State as the host institution for the proposed world-class research centre without having to solicit for it.

He described the selection of DELSU as a significant recognition of not only its place as the premier university in Delta State but also its impressive rankings as the best state university in the South-South and South-East regions, the fourth best state university in Nigeria, and the 18th best among the 284 universities and research institutes in the country.

The Vice-Chancellor informed the visitors that the university currently has thirteen faculties with eighty-three academic programmes that are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), noting that the proposed oil and gas research centre will enhance the university’s contribution to national development through high-quality research and teaching, help build lecturers’ capacity and expand the frontiers of excellence the university is known for promoting.

Speaking at the occasion, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, the leader of the delegation and General Manager (Research and Statistics) of NCDMB, stated that the agency chose to establish its research center at Delta State University as part of its commitment to collaborate with a prominent university in the region.

Halilu revealed that the collaboration aims to promote research, facilitate the patent registration of innovations from these studies, and develop the capacity of university researchers to attract research grants.

He expressed optimism that the partnership will elevate the profile of the university globally and enhance its effectiveness in research and teaching.

According to him, the NCDMB will take full responsibility for equipping and running the research centre while the university will be expected to provide a suitable building for it.

The Vice-Chancellor immediately led the visitors round the campus to inspect potential buildings for the research centrefrom where the team identified one of the buildings inspectedas suitable and promised to commence wok immediately.