Nigeria LNG Ltd (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have committed $9 million (N12.78 billion) to establish professional research chairs in six Nigerian universities.

The beneficiary institutions are the University of Ibadan, Rivers State University (RSU), Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola; Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUST), Kano; University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka-Enugu; and University of Abuja (UniAbuja).

NLNG managing director Adeleye Falade disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. The statement was jointly issued by Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s general manager (external relations and sustainable development), and Obinna Ezeobi, NCDMB’s general manager (corporate communications division).

Mr Falade said each beneficiary university would receive $1.5 million (N2.13 billion) under the Nigerian Content Research and Development Professorial Chair Endowment Programme. He said the programme was being implemented in partnership with NCDMB under the supervision of its Directorate of Planning, Research and Statistics.

Mr Falade described the endowment as an investment in Nigeria’s capacity to translate academic knowledge into practical solutions through collaboration among government, industry and universities.

“The research will address industry challenges, including operational efficiency, emissions management, safety, critical infrastructure and sustainable industrial processes,” he said.

The NLNG managing director said the initiative would promote collaboration through specialised programmes, academic exchanges, sabbaticals, practical research and joint postgraduate curriculum development.

He said the six universities would undertake research in different areas, with the NLNG Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering at Rivers State University serving as the coordinating centre.

Mr Falade said discussions were ongoing with the university on implementation arrangements and commended its vice-chancellor, Isaac Zeb-Obipi, for supporting the collaboration.

He disclosed that prospective partners, including Google, Cisco and MTN, had indicated interest in supporting the initiative.

Mr Falade urged beneficiary institutions to attract additional research grants, strengthen partnerships and commercialise intellectual property developed through the programme.

He also called for sustained commitment to technology transfer and home-grown solutions without compromising quality assurance and safety.

NCDMB’s executive secretary, Felix Ogbe, urged universities to prioritise practical research that can address challenges in the oil and gas industry. He described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.

(NAN)