UNILAG Leadership Visits SNEPCo, Seeks Deeper Collaboration on Geosciences and Industry-Driven Research

An entourage of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) at its Eko Atlantic office in Lagos, to strengthen institutional collaboration and explore sustainable support for academic infrastructure and research.

The UNILAG delegation comprised the three Deputy Vice-Chancellors—Professor Bola Oboh (Academics and Research), Professor Afolabi Lesi (Development Services), and Professor ‘Muyiwa Falaiye (Management Services); the Registrar, Mrs. Abosede Wickliffe; Deputy Provost, College of Medicine (CMUL), Professor Daniel Odebiyi; Director, Academic Planning Unit, Professor Matthew Ilori; Director, Institute of Maritime Studies, Professor Oluwakemi Odukoya; Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, Professor Taiwo Asekun; former Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Management Services), Professors Duro Oni and Lucian Chukwu; as well as members of the Faculty of Life Sciences.

While expressing appreciation to SNEPCo for donating the state-of-the-art Geosciences Centre for Excellence building, Professor Ogunsola described the facility as a critical asset for academic advancement, student training, and capacity development. She, however, raised concerns about the sustainability and long-term maintenance of the infrastructure, noting that the university’s current financial capacity may not be sufficient to optimally manage such a high-end facility.

The Vice-Chancellor outlined ongoing institutional reforms aimed at producing graduates equipped for the evolving energy, maritime, and allied sectors. These reforms include curriculum innovation and programme unbundling to reflect global trends, expansion of international collaborations, and deliberate exploration of emerging disciplines such as ocean systems and subsea engineering.

She also introduced the “Professor-in-Practice” initiative, a framework designed to integrate experienced industry professionals into teaching and research, thereby closing the gap between theory and real-world application. Professor Ogunsola further emphasized the importance of joint research initiatives, stressing that while UNILAG has the intellectual capacity and human resources, access to advanced equipment remains essential for delivering industry-relevant solutions.

Receiving the delegation, the Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mr. Ronald Adams, alongside top executives of the company, assured that the university’s requests—particularly regarding the maintenance of the Geosciences Centre for Excellence—would be given due consideration. He reaffirmed SNEPCo’s commitment to Nigeria’s development agenda and highlighted the company’s social investment focus on education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He also encouraged deeper collaboration between SNEPCo and UNILAG in geosciences, engineering, and applied research.

The engagement was further enriched by contributions from members of the UNILAG delegation. The Registrar, Mrs. Abosede Wickliffe, appealed for healthcare support for university staff, while Professor Matthew Ilori underscored the depth of faculty expertise available to address industry-specific challenges. A UNILAG alumnus and Project Manager, Brownfield Projects and Construction at SNEPCo, Mr. Gbenga Odusami, advocated the strategic use of alumni relations to strengthen institutional ties. In a similar vein, the Special Project Advisor, SNEPCo and DBA student at the University of Lagos Business School, Mr. Tajudeen Adebayo, welcomed the Professor-in-Practice initiative as a mutually beneficial platform for industry professionals and academia.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Lucian Chukwu, expressed gratitude to SNEPCo for its confidence in the younger generation and for actively engaging UNILAG students during the construction of the Geosciences Centre. He commended the contractors and project engineers for their professionalism and dedication, and acknowledged the provision of cutting-edge equipment for the Centre as a clear demonstration of SNEPCo’s commitment to innovation, education, and sustainable development.