The Nigeria LNG Limited and the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board on Thursday unveiled plans to construct a state-of-the-art indigenous research and innovation centre in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, NLNG’s managing director, Adeleye Falade, said the centre would occupy about 9,336 square metres within the Rivers State University campus in Port Harcourt.

Mr Falade described the project as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future. He said the Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering (RICCEE) would significantly enhance Nigeria’s indigenous research and technological capacity and provide innovative solutions for the energy and industrial sectors.

“The centre is designed to enhance the university’s capacity for advanced, industry-relevant research, specialised training and technological solutions for Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors,” he said.

Mr Falade said the centre would strengthen the university’s capacity to produce highly skilled professionals, respond directly to industry needs and deepen collaboration between academics and industry professionals. According to him, such collaboration would enable researchers to develop innovations with commercial and developmental relevance.

The managing director expressed confidence that the centre’s successful research outcomes would be commercially viable and have broader applications across relevant industries.

NCDMB’s executive secretary, Felix Ogbe, described the project as a milestone in the board’s Human Capital Development objectives.

Mr Ogbe said the project was part of NCDMB’s institutional strengthening programme. He said the programme was designed to build lasting partnerships with higher institutions and strengthen teaching, research, innovation and practical skills development.

The executive secretary challenged the centre to become a hub for discovery, creativity, enterprise and technological advancement.

“We expect the centre to inspire students to innovate, enable researchers to solve real-world challenges and provide industry with reliable research and development partners,” he said.

Mr Ogbe commended NLNG for its commitment to the project and praised the governing council and management of RSU for supporting academic excellence.

On his part, the vice-chancellor of RSU, Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said the project aligned with the university’s 2026-2030 strategic development plan.

Mr Zeb-Obipi said the plan prioritised stronger academic programmes, research collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We envisage the centre as a world-class hub where researchers and students can develop practical solutions to engineering and technological challenges,” he said.

He said the facility would also strengthen university-industry collaboration and support the transformation of innovative ideas into useful products, technologies and services.

The vice-chancellor expressed appreciation to NLNG and NCDMB, pledging that the university would ensure productive use of the centre.

The RICCEE facility will house specialised laboratories for electronic and signal processing, robotics and embedded systems, software engineering, and digital forensics and cybersecurity. Others include laboratories, offices and storage facilities to support research, teaching, equipment management and technical administration.

The centre will be powered by solar energy and equipped with energy-efficient lighting and other environmentally sustainable features to reduce operating costs.

(NAN)