UNILORIN wooes NNPC for cutting edge research, professorial chair
By Abubakar Imam
The University of Ilorin and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have set up a joint strategic committee that would promote cooperation between the two institutions.
This was the highlight of a meeting held between officials of the two institutions last Wednesday (March 11, 2026) when the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, led a high-powered delegation of the University management on a working visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari at the NNPC Towers, Abuja.
The discussions between the two parties centred on the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the University of Ilorin, the first in West Africa, that would be dedicated to practical engineering and technology-driven research; and the endowment of an NNPC professorial chair at the Better by far University to promote industry-leading expertise.
The joint committee, which would refine the details of the partnership, is expected to report back within four weeks.
Other members of the University of Ilorin delegation at the meeting were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muktair Adeiza Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Joshua Olaoye, among others.
