The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen research, innovation, and human capital development in Nigeria’s petroleum and renewable energy industries.
The agreement, formalised on Wednesday at the PTDF Tower in Abuja, establishes a strategic collaboration between the Fund and NNPCL’s Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) arm. The partnership will focus on advancing sustainable energy solutions, emerging technologies, and national energy security.
Speaking at the ceremony, PTDF Executive Secretary, Galadima Aminu, described the MoU as a “bold step towards national progress,” stressing that it would foster stronger ties between academia, industry, and government.
“This partnership goes beyond the signing of a document; it represents a commitment to transforming research into practical solutions for the energy sector,” Aminu said. “We are creating opportunities for collaborative work on sustainable oil and gas operations, renewable energy, and energy efficiency at a time when global energy dynamics are rapidly evolving.”
According to him, the collaboration will also prioritise human capacity development through training programmes, innovation-driven skill enhancement, and knowledge-sharing platforms, with the aim of producing a new generation of skilled professionals to drive excellence across the energy value chain.
Highlighting the emphasis on local expertise, Aminu noted that the alliance would advance Nigeria’s local content policy by ensuring that indigenous talents, materials, and technologies take centre stage in delivering value and economic diversification.
He revealed that PTDF and NNPCL would leverage their combined research infrastructure — including laboratories and testing facilities — to fast-track breakthrough technologies in areas such as catalyst production for refineries, biofuel innovation, advanced drilling techniques, and geological mapping.
On the issue of funding, Aminu explained that both institutions are committed to sustainable financing models that will guarantee long-term impact of their research and innovation projects. He added that the MoU builds on existing collaborations, including the NNPCL Learning Academy at the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna.
“The energy transition is not a future ambition but a present reality,” Aminu stated. “Through this partnership, we are laying the foundation for resilience, excellence, and innovation in Nigeria’s energy landscape.”
Also speaking, NNPCL’s Executive Vice President for Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, described the agreement as both strategic and timely, adding that it positions Nigeria for improved competitiveness in the global energy market.
“In today’s fast-changing energy environment, research, innovation, and human capital development are key to sustaining relevance and resilience,” Mbakwe said. “This collaboration with PTDF will accelerate local content development, promote technology adoption, and prepare the next generation of professionals to address real-world energy challenges.”
Both organisations pledged to align their efforts with Nigeria’s energy transition agenda and global climate commitments, while jointly developing sustainable funding models for future projects.
