By Danjuma Amodu | January 23, 2026
The Government of Nigeria is seeking to transform its oil sector and position itself as Africa’s energy hub. To achieve this, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) is advancing strategic partnerships with global industry leaders, most notably Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) in Malaysia, to upscale human‑capacity development as it remains central to aligning education with industry demand and Nigeria’s national energy agenda.
This was disclosed in a post on the verified official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
During a recent visit to UTP’s campus, PTDF officials met with the university’s management and Nigerian students, observing that UTP provides the quality of education, industry exposure, and innovation‑driven training needed to support Nigeria’s ambition.
“UTP delivers the calibre of graduates and research output that can power our energy transition,” a PTDF spokesperson said.
Building on this collaboration, PTDF plans to model the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), after the PETRONAS‑UTP ecosystem. The goal is to create an integrated, industry‑led framework that combines teaching, vocational training, research, and innovation. In addition, PTDF intends to launch split‑site programmes with CPESK, mirroring existing arrangements with three UK universities.
Nigeria’s longstanding relationship with Malaysia is being further strengthened under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration.
“Adapting this proven model will deepen local content, enhance workforce capacity, and create a sustainable centre of excellence for Nigeria and the whole continent,” said Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
The initiative is expected to attract investment from energy firms, boost research commercialisation, and generate high‑skill jobs, positioning Nigeria as a regional leader in petroleum technology and energy innovation.
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) was established to build human capital for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, a Malaysian university owned by PETRONAS, is recognised for its strong industry‑academic linkages and has trained many Nigerian engineers under PTDF scholarships. The proposed CPESK‑UTP partnership aims to replicate that success domestically, reducing reliance on overseas training and fostering a self‑sustaining energy talent pipeline.
