Shell commits to empowering young energy professionals

The Director of the NNPC/SPDC/TotalEnergies/NAOC Joint Venture Centre of Excellence in Environmental Management and Green Energy, Professor Anene Moneke, has stated that the targeted investments in education by the Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture will address Nigeria’s energy challenges by developing talents in the industry.

Moneke, who is also a holder of the NNPC/SPDC JV Professorial Chair in Environmental Management and Control at the University of Nigeria, disclosed this during a recent visit to SPDC’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

In a statement on Tuesday, he emphasised the pivotal role of the centre in developing sustainable energy solutions and commended SPDC’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and environmental sustainability, highlighting the immediate and long-term benefits for the country.

He stated that the SPDC-operated joint venture established the centre to equip the next generation of Nigerian leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle the nation’s energy crisis.

“The introduction of the Green Energy programme in the centre will further position it to play a pivotal role in proffering sustainable energy solutions,” Professor Moneke said, adding that SPDC’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and environmental sustainability will yield immediate and long-term benefits for the country.

“The Centre, established with a $1m SPDC-funded building in 2014, will now offer postgraduate programmes in Environmental Management and Green Energy, thanks to increased funding from the joint venture.

“Since its inception in 2021, CEMAGE has achieved significant milestones, including the production of 22 doctorates, 37 master’s degrees, and 13 postgraduate diplomas. The Chairholder and research team have published five journal papers and conducted three critical habitat assessments for SPDC,” the statement noted.

The SPDC Director and Country Head of Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, who received the delegation, emphasised the company’s commitment to developing Nigerian leadership and grooming young energy experts.