By Editor

Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and Seplat Energy Plc have intensified efforts to kick-start a Centre of Excellence in Gas Development at Delta State University, marking a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s gas research and local content capabilities.

At a strategic meeting in Abraka, Delta State, senior officials from both organisations engaged the university’s leadership on key requirements for the take-off of the project, which was approved by the Board in 2024.

The initiative forms part of a broader national framework to deepen research and development (R&D) in the oil and gas sector. It is one of several centres being established across the country, following a 10-year R&D roadmap developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the industry.

Speaking at the engagement, NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, Abdulmalik Halilu, representing Executive Secretary Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said both organisations had held extensive consultations since 2024 to define the project’s scope, covering infrastructure, equipment, research policy, capacity development, and long-term sustainability.

He confirmed that both NCDMB and Seplat have now endorsed the framework for implementation, with a dedicated team of technical experts already constituted to drive execution. The Board has also strengthened its internal project team to ensure delivery aligns with expectations.

Halilu reaffirmed the commitment of the NCDMB leadership, noting that resources across quality assurance, R&D, and operational units have been mobilised to support both the development and execution phases.

On its part, Seplat Energy underscored the strategic importance of the initiative. The company’s Nigerian Content Manager, Simeon Ogari, said the choice of DELSU was influenced by its proximity to Seplat’s operational hub, including the 300MMscfd ANOH Gas Processing Plant, operated in partnership with the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company.

He added that the centre is expected to serve as a hub for advanced research, technology incubation, and industry-driven innovation, with benefits extending beyond academia to the broader energy sector and national economy.

Ogari emphasised the need for strong collaboration, referencing the “Triple Helix Model,” which integrates government, academia, and industry as critical drivers of innovation and sustainable development.

Providing further insight, the Chief Executive Officer of GOSHEN, Leonard Okafor, said the PwC-led study identified structural gaps in Nigeria’s oil and gas ecosystem, particularly weak intersectoral linkages. The establishment of research centres, he noted, is designed to address these deficiencies and strengthen local participation.

According to him, the roadmap highlights five priority areas for R&D: collaboration, infrastructure, capability development, commercial/legal frameworks, and funding. He stressed that attracting high-quality research talent and fostering institutional partnerships would be critical to the project’s success.

In response, DELSU Vice Chancellor, Samuel Oghenovo Asagba, welcomed the initiative and assured stakeholders of the university’s readiness to meet all requirements for a successful launch. He noted that the institution boasts strong academic capacity, particularly in science and engineering disciplines, positioning it well for impactful collaboration.

Also speaking, NCDMB’s General Manager, Quality Assurance, Chris Osuji, said his team would ensure strict adherence to quality standards from project inception through completion.

Closing the engagement, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Silas Ajimijaye, commended Seplat for its funding support and urged the university to leverage the project to build a lasting legacy. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Douglason Omotor, also pledged the institution’s full cooperation, highlighting the availability of skilled academics and administrators to drive the initiative.

With alignment secured among key stakeholders, the Centre of Excellence is poised to become a critical platform for advancing gas development, innovation, and local content in Nigeria’s energy sector.

By Ambrose Nnaji

JMG Limited has intensified its push for sustainable engineering and clean energy adoption, taking its advocacy beyond corporate boardrooms into the streets of Lagos through an Engineering Walk aimed at promoting solar solutions and inclusive energy access.

Organised to commemorate World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, the initiative commenced from the company’s head office in Victoria Island and drew participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders. These included engineering students from University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology, alongside members of Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) and Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), influencers, and company employees.

Their participation underscored a growing, collective commitment to advancing engineering solutions that are not only innovative, but also practical, sustainable, and widely accessible.

Speaking at the event, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Rabi Jammal, highlighted the broader vision driving the initiative.

“Sustainable engineering is about designing systems that are efficient, reliable, and built to last. Solar energy is part of that conversation, but the bigger picture is how engineering can sustainably power our homes, businesses, and industries,” he said.

Amid rising energy costs and persistent power supply challenges in Nigeria, JMG continues to advocate for engineering-driven solutions that reduce reliance on expensive and environmentally harmful energy sources. By embedding solar into a broader ecosystem of engineering systems, the company is demonstrating how sustainability can be integrated across infrastructure rather than treated as a standalone fix.

JMG’s operations span power generation, electrical infrastructure, vertical transportation, cooling systems, and air compressors—reflecting a holistic engineering model that prioritises efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and long-term environmental responsibility. Within this framework, solar energy remains a critical enabler, gaining traction due to its affordability, reliability, and compatibility with integrated systems across residential, commercial, and industrial segments.

Through initiatives like the Engineering Walk, the company is working to democratise access to these solutions, extending their benefits beyond large corporations to everyday Nigerians, including those in smaller homes and apartments.

Beyond awareness, JMG is also demonstrating practical implementation. Its headquarters operates on solar power as part of a broader integrated system, showcasing how sustainable engineering can be effectively deployed in real-world environments.

Reinforcing this position, Plant Manager, Fouad El Chami, noted that sustainable engineering requires continuous innovation in energy use and system integration.

“Solar helps reduce overall consumption and supports a cleaner environment, but the goal is to create efficient, cost-effective engineering solutions that respond to today’s energy realities,” he said.

As participants moved through Victoria Island, a clear message emerged: Nigeria’s energy future will depend not on isolated interventions, but on a unified approach where engineering innovation, sustainability, and accessibility work together to deliver resilient solutions for homes and businesses.

L-R
Customer Support Manager, Ogunsanya Anthonia, Plant Manager, Fouad El Chami, Chief Commercial Officer, JMG Limited, Rabi Jamma, and the Protocol Officer, Tomi Faniran during the JMG Smart Engineering and Solar Appreciation Walk in Lagos.

By Ambrose Nnaji

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has emerged Overall Champion and Best Sports Company at the 20th edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG), concluding a week of competition in Abuja with a commanding performance that underscored its culture of excellence and teamwork.

Team NLNG topped the medals table with an impressive haul of 52 medals — 20 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze — overtaking defending champions Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finished second with 49 medals (14 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze).

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) secured third place with 18 medals, while TotalEnergies placed fourth with 15 medals. Other participating organisations included Oando, Seplat Energy, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell, among others.

Held from February 8 to 14, 2026, the biennial tournament marked four decades of fostering unity, collaboration and healthy competition within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Beyond athletic performance, the event serves as a strategic platform for strengthening corporate relationships and reinforcing industry cohesion.

Leading the NLNG delegation, Deputy Managing Director Olakunle Osobu described the victory as a reflection of the company’s resilience, discipline and unity. He noted that excellence at NLNG extends beyond operational performance into wellness, teamwork and corporate engagement.

Organisers hailed the 20th edition as a landmark celebration of industry camaraderie, emphasising the enduring value of collaboration beyond boardroom engagements.

With chants of #TeamNLNG reverberating across the stadium, the triumph further solidifies NLNG’s leadership reputation — not only as a major player in Nigeria’s energy landscape, but also as a champion of corporate wellness and inter-company collaboration.