NNPC-SPDC JV Donates ICT Centre to Bauchi University
By ‘Sola Akingboye, 4 July 2024
The Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) and its joint venture partners – Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC); TotalEnergies, and Nigeria Agip Oil Company, have donated a cutting-edge ICT center, which was officially opened on Thursday at Sa’adu Zungur University (previously known as Bauchi State University), Gadau in Bauchi State as part of the joint venture’s latest educational support in Nigeria.
According to a statement made available to RegentAfrica Energy Report by the Communications, Media and NGO Relations Manager, Shell, Bamidele Odugbesan; the center, fully financed by the SPDC-operated joint venture, features an aesthetically pleasing collaborative workspace where students can participate in group work and brainstorming sessions.
During the inauguration, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by the state’s Director of ICT, Hayatuddeen Babamaji, stated: “This significant project will complement the government’s efforts to enhance education and promote digital transformation in Bauchi State.”
Representing the SPDC Managing Director and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, Igo Weli emphasized: “The establishment of this facility was driven by a vision to enhance essential educational infrastructure, facilitate access to high-demand IT skills, and encourage the growth of the IT sector in Bauchi State and Northeast Nigeria.”
Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO) of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, described the project as “an example of the positive impact of the oil and gas industry on our nation’s prospects,” and called for “sustained collaboration as we aim to achieve more.”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University, Professor Fatima Tahir, mentioned that the center would function as a hub for innovation by enhancing teaching and learning at the institution. The Emir of Bauchi and Chancellor of the university, Dr. Rilwanu Adamu, conveyed appreciation to the SPDC-operated JV for initiating the project.
The ICT center is self-sufficient, with its own power and water supply, offering uninterrupted learning opportunities for students and lecturers and real-time connectivity with the outside world. To promote sustainable development, the construction plan included the elevation of skills of local contractors, with some of them undertaking key roles in critical supplies, craftsmanship, medical services, and scaffolding.
Furthermore, 75 staff and students received training in data science, embedded systems, robotics, and hardware engineering to enhance in-house capabilities. Sa’adu Zungur University also highlighted the sustainability aspect of the project by establishing a tree planting club, which has already planted approximately 1,000 fruit-bearing trees.
The establishment of the ICT center is just one of several initiatives by the joint venture in Northeast Nigeria. Earlier this year, the joint venture launched a primary healthcare center and completed two programs to enhance livelihoods in support of displaced families in Yobe and Borno states. Additionally, the JV has been involved in various projects in the region encompassing education, health, shelter, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
The joint venture’s commitment to education has resulted in the awarding of numerous scholarships to secondary school and university students, the donation of physical infrastructure to schools, and the provision of industry exposure for students and lecturers from Nigerian universities through sabbatical and internship opportunities.
