NLNG supports six varsities with N2b

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited has earmarked N2 billion ($12 million dollars) for the development of engineering education in six Nigerian universities.
The universities are the University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin; University of Port Harcourt; University of Maiduguri; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and Ahamdu Belllo University, Zaria.
The NLNG Managing Director, Baba Omotowa, who made this known in Abuja, said the gesture was to support education sector and help in building a better Nigeria.
Omotowa said the company would spend N340 million in each institution for the construction of modern engineering laboratories, equipped with cutting-edge equipment in a project titled NLNG University Support Programme.
While describing the contribution as a landmark, Omotowa said: “No Nigerian university is ranked among the 500 best university in the world today neither is our ranking among African universities impressive.
“All the prediction about Nigeria’s ascent as a developed country will only come to reality if and when we also take firm steps to fix our educational system.
“Well meaning stakeholders need to urgently join hands to turn around the quality of education in the country to safeguard and ensure a better future for the country.
“This is why the company is committed to building a better Nigeria and has initiated the N2 billion NLNG university support programme to help bring engineering education up to world class standard.”
The six universities, according to him, are selected based on their top position within their geo-political zones in the ranking by the National Universities Commission and other International bodies
Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, who responded on behalf of the benefiting universities, expressed appreciation to the company for the gesture.
Adewole, who described it as the single largest gesture by an organisation to multiple institutions, pledged the commitment of the universities to the concept and the partnership.
He said the universities would offer their own contributions.
He said this would include facilities, expertise and land, among others toward the successful implementation of the project.
Adewole said: “It is our job to provide skilled manpower that would be useful to the industry and we believe that others in the industry will join you in this endeavour.
“We will make judicious use of the gesture to ensure that the set targets are met.”