The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has said it would continue to promote human capacity development, research and innovation in Nigeria, especially in the petroleum and energy sector.

It, therefore, urged universities in the country to leverage opportunities provided by the fund to deepen research in the petroleum and energy sector.

The Executive Secretary of the Fund, Prof. Shaiubu Shehu Aliyu, stated this at the PTDF Professorial Chair on Petroleum Geology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Represented by the agency’s Director, Research and Development, Mrs. Favour Adaure-Prince, he stated that the workshop is focused on modern geophysical technologies for petroleum and energy exploration.

He argued that the growing application of modern geophysical technologies in petroleum and energy exploration made capacity development in the area increasingly important.

According to him, initiatives such as the PTDF Professorial Chairs demonstrate the Fund’s commitment to supporting kn
owledge development and strengthening expertise in Nigerian institutions.

“PTDF remains committed to human capacity development, research and innovation through initiatives such as the PTDF Professorial Chairs.

“I encourage participants of this training to maximize this opportunity by learning, sharing ideas and applying the knowledge gained to research, teaching and industry challenges.

“I want to assure the university of PTDF’s continued support for partnership that advances research, innovation and capacity development in Nigeria,” he said.

Aliyu further called for stronger collaboration between institutions such as PTDF and Nigerian universities which would be essential to developing the technical expertise required to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities in the petroleum and energy sector.

Declaring the workshop open, Vice Chancellor, UNN, Prof. Uchenna Ortuanya, said the workshop is important because geology plays a significant role in economic and technological development of the country.

Ortuanya, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Michael Onyia, hinted that research in petroleum geology is very important towards energy sector development, ground water resources development and environmental management.

According to him, the idea of the workshop is for the participants to exchange ideas, collaborate and work towards enhanced research, saying the university is delighted to host the programme.

Also in a remark, the Professorial chair at the event, Prof. Olusola Ojo, stressed the growing need for continuous learning, acquisition of new skills, interdisciplinary collaboration and exposure to emerging technologies and methodologies has made the workshop apt and timely.