FG, UK varsity to launch petroleum college in Kaduna
The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to launch the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies (CPES) in Kaduna, in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and other leading UK universities.
This initiative, backed by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), aims to transform Nigeria’s energy sector by establishing a world-class training institute for the industry in Nigeria and across Africa.
The PTDF recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Portsmouth, marking a significant milestone in the development of the energy sector.
According to a statement released by the PTDF on Monday, the college will offer postgraduate programs in several fields, including Engineering, Applied & Earth Sciences, Computing & Telecommunication Technology, Health, Safety & Environment, and Business Management. These programs will be delivered through an International Joint Venture approach.
The college, which is owned by PTDF, will serve as a key center for enhancing Nigeria’s human resource capacity in the energy sector. This initiative is expected to save the country significant foreign exchange by offering high-quality local training for Nigerian students, eliminating the need for them to study abroad.
The National Universities Commission has granted the college a license to operate as a private postgraduate institution, with 19 initial programs spread across six departments and three faculties. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, recently inspected the facility and expressed his satisfaction with the state-of-the-art infrastructure.
In a statement, the Minister emphasized the importance of the partnership with the University of Portsmouth, highlighting the shared vision of advancing Nigeria’s energy sector amidst a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. He also noted that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, aiming to enhance Nigeria’s energy potential and capacity.
“The Federal Executive Council, Nigeria’s highest decision-making body, approved the operating license for the college in May 2023. This partnership with the University of Portsmouth is a crucial step in realizing the government’s commitment to domesticating high-quality educational and training programs in the energy sector,” the Minister stated.
PTDF Executive Secretary, Ahmed Galadima Aminu, also spoke about the significance of this partnership, noting that it marks a major achievement in the Fund’s efforts to strengthen local capacity in the oil and gas sector. He highlighted the long-standing relationship with the University of Portsmouth, which began with discussions in 2019, and has now led to a formal partnership aimed at delivering world-class postgraduate education in Kaduna.
This collaboration will not only serve PTDF’s goals but is also expected to support the broader Nigerian energy sector by equipping professionals with the skills needed to foster innovation and growth. Furthermore, PTDF has already established similar partnerships with Robert Gordon University and the University of Strathclyde, with plans to expand the program with other UK universities in the future.
Overall, the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna represents a key strategic initiative by PTDF to enhance sustainable capacity development in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and position the country as a leader in energy innovation.
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