LAGOS, NIGERIA– Shell Nigeria Expedition and Production Business Limited (SNEPCo), in collaboration with its Joint Venture (JV) partners and the Nigerian Material Development and Keeping An Eye On Board (NCDMB), formally commissioned an advanced Geoscience Centre at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Friday, April 17, 2026.
The center is a foundation of the Nigerian Material Human Capability Advancement (HCD) program, aimed at removing Nigeria’s dependence on external knowledge in the oil and gas sector.
The centre is geared up with sophisticated simulation labs and reservoir modelling tools, placing UNILAG as a primary center for seismic interpretation and core analysis in West Africa.
Enhancing the “Human Side” of Energy
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Ogbe, represented by the Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele emphasised that geosciences are the vital path to discovering new oil and gas deposits.
He revealed that the company is presently training 10,000 young Nigerians in vital industry skills, with geosciences ranked amongst the leading 10 top priorities.
“There are three things we deal with: patronising products produced in-country, utilising local properties, and most notably, the human side of things, which involves building human capacities,” Ogbe specified.
Read likewise: Oyetola commissions UNILAG’s ultra-modern maritime institute building.
Why UNILAG was Selected:
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Proven Competencies: Data-driven recognition of the organization’s existing strength in geosciences.
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Institutional Preparedness: The university’s capacity to integrate modern simulation into its existing curriculum.
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Strategic Location: Proximity to significant energy home offices in Lagos.
A National Asset for Homegrown Solutions
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr Tolani Sule, hailed the centre as a catalyst for “homegrown solutions.”
He kept in mind that the skills developed within the facility would extend beyond oil and gas into environmental management and urban facilities.
“Nigeria can not continue to rely greatly on external proficiency in important sectors. We need to train our own professionals,” the Governor asserted, strengthening Lagos’s status as a hub for innovation and enterprise.
The Handling Director of SNEPCo, Mr Ronald Adams, characterised the centre not as a “Shell facility,” however as a nationwide possession.
He extended an open invitation to other energy players to partner with UNILAG, fund research study, and produce internship pipelines for the emerging talent.
He especially thanked the NNPC Limited for its steadfast leadership in making the intervention possible.
Technical Capabilities of the New Centre:
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Tank Modelling: Anticipating the flow of oil and gas through permeable rocks.
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Seismic Analysis: Mapping underground structures utilizing sound waves.
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Core Analysis: In-depth laboratory study of physical rock samples.
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Simulation Labs: Hands-on digital environments for field operation training.
Sustainability and Global Competitiveness
UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, assured stakeholders that a robust sustainability structure has actually been developed.
This includes long-term funding dedications and periodic technological upgrades to make sure the centre stays internationally competitive.
Impact on the Oil and Gas Value Chain
As Nigeria looks for to increase its daily oil production and gas utilisation under the policy regulations of President Bola Tinubu, the UNILAG Geoscience Centre is expected to play a vital function.
By producing “industry-ready” graduates, the facility directly supports the NCDMB’s mandate to increase the portion of local content in high-value technical operations.
The event concluded with a tour of the facility, where market leaders revealed optimism that the next generation of Nigerian geoscientists will now be trained on the same devices used on the planet’s most advanced oil fields.