RismadarVoice Reporters, August 13, 2026
The Nigeria LNG Limited and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board have unveiled plans to establish a Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
The project, announced on Thursday, is aimed at strengthening the university’s capacity for advanced, industry-focused research, specialised training and the development of technological solutions for Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors.
NLNG also disclosed plans to establish a professorial chair at the centre, which will operate as a research and development hub focused on addressing critical industry challenges, particularly those affecting the company.
The company said successful research projects could be commercialised and deployed across the wider industry.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, NLNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future and an indication of the company’s commitment to sustainable human capital development.
Falade, represented by NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the centre would improve the university’s ability to train highly skilled professionals and conduct research tailored to industry requirements.
He noted that the facility would help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry needs by creating opportunities for researchers and professionals to collaborate on commercially and developmentally relevant innovations.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director of Capacity Building, Abayomi Bamidele, described the project as a major milestone in the implementation of the board’s Human Capital Development objectives.
He said the initiative was part of the NCDMB’s Human Capital Development Institutional Strengthening Programme, which seeks to establish sustainable partnerships with higher institutions through improved infrastructure, research, innovation and practical skills development.
Ogbe challenged the centre to become a hub for technological discovery, creativity and enterprise, where students could develop innovative ideas, researchers could address real-world challenges, es and industries could find reliable research and development partners.
He also commended NLNG for its commitment to the project and praised the Governing Council, Vice-Chancellor and management of Rivers State University for supporting academic excellence.
The Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said the institution’s 2026–2030 strategic development plan prioritised the improvement of academic programmes, research collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He said the new centre would provide an important platform for achieving those objectives.
Zeb-Obipi expressed optimism that the facility would become a world-class hub where students and researchers could develop practical solutions to engineering and technological challenges while transforming innovative ideas into useful products, technologies and services.
He thanked NLNG and NCDMB for their support and assured them that the university would ensure the facility was effectively utilised to promote research, human capacity development and stronger collaboration between academia and industry.
The centre will occupy approximately 9,336 square metres within the Rivers State University campus and feature specialised laboratories for Electronics and Signal Processing, Robotics and Embedded Systems, Software Engineering, and Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity.
The facility will also include offices and storage areas to support research, teaching, equipment management and technical operations.
According to the organisers, sustainability features such as solar energy infrastructure, energy-efficient lighting and environmentally friendly systems will also be incorporated into the building to reduce operating costs and support reliable research activities.
The Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering is one of the Institutional Strengthening Projects being implemented under the NCDMB’s Human Capital Development Programme.
