Unilorin, NNPC to Set Up West Africa's First Engineering Research Centre

 Unilorin, NNPC to Set Up West Africa's First Engineering Research Centre

By Idris Alooma 

The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have set up a joint strategic committee that will promote cooperation between the two institutions.

This was contained in a press statement on Saturday issued by the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, on the outcome of a March 11 meeting held between officials of the two institutions at the NNPC Towers, Abuja.

Akogun stated that while the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, led his team to the meeting, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Engr Bashir Ojulari, led the NNPC side.


According to the statement, discussions between the two parties centred on the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the University of Ilorin.


The centre which would be the first in West Africa, when completed, would be dedicated to practical engineering and technology-driven research.


The meeting also discussed the endowment of an NNPC professorial chair at the university to promote industry-leading expertise.


“The joint committee, which would refine the details of the partnership, is expected to report back within four weeks,” Akogun stated.


Other members of the university delegation at the meeting included the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Mukhtar Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Alfanla; and the Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Joshua Olaoye.

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