UNILAG and Marine Platforms to Establish Pioneering Underwater Institute
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Marine Platforms Limited are collaborating to establish an underwater institute focused on sub-sea exploration, marine renewable energy, and sustainable technologies.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
In a groundbreaking development for marine science and technology, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Marine Platforms Limited have announced plans to build an underwater institute focused on sub-sea exploration, marine renewable energy, and sustainable technologies. This initiative was unveiled during a visit by a team of engineers led by Marine Platforms' CEO, Mr. Taofik Adegbite, to UNILAG on May 24, 2024.
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The visit, hosted on the 10th floor of the Senate House, saw Mr. Adegbite accompanied by industry professionals and academics, including former Dean of Engineering at UNILAG, Professor Funso Falade. They were received by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Lucian O. Chukwu, representing the Vice-Chancellor.
Mr. Adegbite expressed his company's commitment to partnering with UNILAG to promote marine studies through the proposed institute. He highlighted that the institute would provide hands-on training and educational programs for students, researchers, professionals, and non-professionals, aiming to enhance their knowledge and skills in marine science, research, and conservation.
As the Norwegian Consul-General in Nigeria, Mr. Adegbite shared that Marine Platforms has an ongoing collaboration with the University of Aberdeen, renowned for its Subsea Engineering program. This partnership has already facilitated the training of over 100 individuals in subsea business globally.
"We are here to re-jig and re-start a project to establish a sub-sea institute at the University of Lagos. This institute will develop young talents, equipping them with the essential skills and technical knowledge required in the offshore sector today," said Mr. Adegbite. He emphasized the importance of practical-based teaching over traditional certificate dependency, ensuring that industry and academia partnership drives the curriculum.
The institute will benefit from significant equipment donations, including boats, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), subsea sensors, underwater cameras, and deep-sea submersibles. These tools will facilitate advanced learning and vocational training, leading to breakthroughs in oceanography, marine engineering, and environmental science.
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Professor Chukwu, in his response, lauded the initiative and expressed gratitude for selecting UNILAG as the hub for enhancing marine research and practice. He underscored the university's ongoing efforts in marine studies and noted that the new institute would elevate UNILAG's status as a global center for academic excellence and research.
The visit concluded with a tour of the site designated for the construction of the underwater institute, marking the beginning of an innovative journey in marine education and research.
