The Petroleum Technology Development Fund and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to deepen research, innovation, and human capital development in Nigeria’s petroleum and renewable energy sectors.
The agreement, sealed on Wednesday in Abuja, formalises a strategic partnership between PTDF and NNPCL’s Research, Technology and Innovation subsidiary, aimed at promoting joint work on emerging technologies, sustainable energy solutions, and energy security.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the PTDF Tower, the Executive Secretary of the Fund, Galadima Aminu, described the pact as a “bold step towards national progress,” stressing that it would strengthen the bridge between academia, industry, and government.
He said the decisive step would strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leader in energy innovation, sustainable development, and local content.
The PTDF boss added that the collaboration would bridge the gap between academia, industry, and government, creating an ecosystem where research is effectively translated into practical solutions.
“This MoU is not just a document; it is a commitment to national progress. We are setting the stage for joint research on sustainable oil and gas operations, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy security. This is a timely and necessary step as we navigate the evolving global energy landscape.
“Through this partnership, we are setting the stage for collaborative research on sustainable oil and gas operations, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. It is a timely and necessary step as we navigate the evolving global energy landscape,” Aminu added.
Aminu said the collaboration would prioritise human capital development through training programmes, innovation skills enhancement, and knowledge-sharing platforms, aimed at producing “a generation of highly skilled professionals and researchers who will drive excellence across the energy value chain in line with the policy direction of this administration.”
Highlighting the focus on homegrown expertise, he said, “Our joint commitment to local content development will ensure Nigerian talents, materials, and technologies take centre stage in driving value creation and economic diversification in the energy sector.”
The PTDF boss disclosed that both institutions would leverage their research infrastructure and laboratories to test, validate, and deploy breakthrough technologies in areas such as refinery catalyst production, biofuel development, drilling operations, and geological mapping.
He also disclosed that the two institutions would pool resources — from PTDF’s research facilities to NNPCL-RTI’s laboratories — to accelerate the testing, validation, and deployment of breakthrough technologies such as refinery catalyst production, biofuel development, advanced drilling operations, and geological mapping.
On funding, Aminu said the partners were committed to sustainable models that ensure research and innovation projects remain impactful and forward-looking.
He added that the MoU builds on existing collaborations such as the NNPCL Learning Academy at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna, a joint venture between the two agencies.
Calling the energy transition “our current reality,” Aminu said the partnership was aligned with Nigeria’s national energy objectives and global climate commitments.
“Together, we are building not just systems, but a legacy of resilience, excellence, and innovation,” he concluded.
Also speaking, NNPCL’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, hailed the agreement as “strategic and timely,” noting that it would position Nigeria for greater competitiveness in the global energy market.
“In today’s evolving global energy landscape, innovation, research, and human capacity development are essential to sustaining competitiveness, driving resilience, and maintaining Nigeria’s leadership in the energy sector,” she said.
Mbakwe emphasised that the MoU would advance local content, foster technology adoption, and prepare the next generation of energy professionals to tackle real-world challenges.
“We recognise PTDF’s critical role in shaping Nigeria’s oil and gas human capital and believe our collaboration will open new frontiers in applied research, market-relevant innovation, and technological self-reliance,” she said.
Both parties pledged to establish sustainable funding models for research and innovation while aligning the partnership with Nigeria’s energy transition targets and global sustainability commitments.
“The energy transition is not a distant goal; it is our current reality. This partnership represents a bold step towards a cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive energy future for Nigeria,” Aminu added.
