The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen research, innovation, and human capital development in Nigeria’s petroleum and renewable energy sectors.
The agreement, sealed on Wednesday at the PTDF Tower in Abuja, formalises a partnership between the Fund and NNPCL’s Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) subsidiary. It will focus on joint initiatives in emerging technologies, sustainable energy solutions, and energy security.
Speaking at the ceremony, PTDF Executive Secretary, Galadima Aminu, described the pact as a “bold step towards national progress,” saying it would bridge the gap between academia, industry, and government to deliver practical, homegrown solutions for the sector.
“This MoU is not just a document; it is a commitment to national progress,” Aminu said. “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 emphasised that the partnership would prioritise human capital development through targeted training programmes, innovation skills enhancement, and knowledge-sharing platforms to produce highly skilled professionals capable of driving excellence across the energy value chain.
He highlighted the commitment to local content, noting that Nigerian talents, materials, and technologies would “take centre stage” in driving value creation and economic diversification.
Under the MoU, both institutions will pool resources — from PTDF’s research facilities to NNPCL-RTI’s laboratories — to accelerate the testing and deployment of breakthrough technologies, including refinery catalyst production, biofuel development, advanced drilling operations, and geological mapping. The agreement also builds on earlier collaborations such as the NNPCL Learning Academy at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna.
On the financial side, Aminu disclosed that sustainable funding models would be developed to ensure that research and innovation projects remain impactful and aligned with national policy and global sustainability targets.
NNPCL’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, hailed the partnership as “strategic and timely,” adding that it would enhance Nigeria’s 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 added that the collaboration would advance local content, accelerate technology adoption, and equip the next generation of energy professionals to meet real-world challenges.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy transition agenda, aligning the partnership with the country’s climate change commitments and long-term sustainability goals.
“Together, we are building not just systems, but a legacy of resilience, excellence, and innovation,” Aminu concluded.
