Nigeria’s NNPC, Algeria’s Sonatrach Sign MoU To Boost Research, Innovation In Oil & Gas

NNPC Limited, through its Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Division, in collaboration with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sonatrach, the Algerian National Oil Company, for cooperation in research, development and innovation.

The agreement, signed by NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe and Sonatrach’s Managing Director, Khodjah Mohamed, establishes a formal framework for joint work in research and technology exchange between the two national oil companies.

The agreement, which took place during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Meeting of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) Forum for R&D Directors at the PTDF Tower in Abuja, Nigeria, brought together research and development directors from APPO member countries.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, represented by former Secretary General of APPO, Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said the forum was one of four measures introduced by APPO to address challenges from the global energy transition, which centre on funding, technology and markets.

“The R&D forum tackles technology and expertise needs, the African Energy Bank addresses funding constraints, and the Central African Pipeline System supports regional oil and gas market integration,” Lokpobiri stated.

Earlier in his remarks, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Adedapo Segun said research and development must form a central part of the overall strategy in the African oil and gas industry.

He called for research and development centres to function as engines of industrial competitiveness. “Collaboration in research and development is of strategic importance. The cost of innovation might be high, but the cost of obsolescence would be greater,” he stressed.

Ojulari called for a unified strategic framework through which resources could be pooled, data integrated and risks shared across member countries. He further urged the rapid adoption of digital technologies, artificial intelligence and advanced engineering to improve upstream, midstream and downstream operations.

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On his part, the APPO Secretary General, Farid Ghezali, urged African petroleum producing countries to ensure research in the oil and gas sector produced solutions that are practical and directly relevant to the continent. “We must ensure that our research delivers solutions that are practical and of direct use to Africa,” he stated.

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Also speaking, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Prof. Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu highlighted the value of the partnership between NNPC Limited and PTDF in support of decarbonisation and environmental protection work across APPO member countries.

Chief Innovation Officer of NNPC Research, Technology and Innovation and incoming Chairman of the APPO R&D Directors Forum, Rasheed Ojulari, said the forum would give immediate priority to joint programmes in the core areas of upstream optimisation, artificial intelligence, decarbonisation processes and industrial systems development.

NUPRC Charged IPPG On Industry Standards, Human Capital Development

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has charged the Independent Petroleum Producers Group to uphold industry standards to strengthen human capital development.

NUPRC also urged the group to promote good corporate governance.

NUPRC’s chief executive, Oritsemeyewa Eyesan, said this during a courtesy visit by the IPPG chairman, Adegbite Falade, in Abuja, according to a statement on Tuesday.

Ms Eyesan described the IPPG as a significant force in the industry, particularly following the divestment of international oil companies. According to her, the commission values its relationship with the group.

She restated adherence to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, underscoring the importance of human capital development and strong corporate governance.

Ms Eyesan reiterated the commission’s commitment to its mandate as a business enabler, assuring that it would remain responsive to industry needs in line with the aspirations of President Bola Tinubu.

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The NUPRC boss said the commission has gone paperless as part of its commitment to digitise its operations.

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Mr Falade commended Ms Eyesan for the renewed hope leadership in the commission.

NUPRC has charged the Independent Petroleum Producers Group to uphold industry standards to strengthen human capital development.

Mr Falade said the industry has experienced noticeable changes since Ms Eyesan assumed office in December 2025.

NNPC Foundation Wins CSR Champion Award (Health)

NNPC Foundation Limited/Gte, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of NNPC Ltd. has won the CSR Champion Awar (Health) 2025 instituted by the Independent Newspapers. The award was presented during the Silver Jubilee edition of the Independent Newspapers Awards, themed “Game Changers: Breaking Barriers and Shaping Tomorrow,” held at Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday, 18 April 2026.

The CSR Champion Award (Health) recognises the Foundation’s work in healthcare and its broader commitment to improving lives through social investment programmes spanning health, education, environment, and access to energy.

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The recognition follows a series of health initiatives delivered by the Foundation, including free cataract screening and surgeries that restored sight to over 6,000 Nigerians, including minors born blind; cancer and glaucoma interventions; medical outreaches to underserved communities; renovation and furnishing of three wards with 100 beds at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi; partnership and sponsorship of heart surgeries; and provision of dental health accessories to children in special schools, among others.

The NNPC Foundation noted that these results were made possible through the leadership and support of the NNPC Ltd. Management team, whose commitment has continued to strengthen the Foundation’s capacity to deliver social investments across the country.

Reacting to the award, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, described the recognition as a validation of the Foundation’s work and the trust placed in it by Nigerians. She noted that the award means so much to the company because it represents the confidence Nigerians have placed in its work and the value they see in purposeful social investment.

“It speaks to the resilience of the communities we serve, the dedication of our team, and the strength of partnerships that have enabled us to do meaningful work in health, education, environmental sustainability and access to energy,” she added.

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In addition, Arukwe noted that “these results have also been made possible through the leadership and support of the NNPC Ltd. Management team, whose backing has been instrumental to the success of the Foundation’s work. We receive this award with gratitude, and with a renewed sense of responsibility to do more and reach further across the country.”

NNPC Foundation Limited/Gte remains committed to advancing health interventions that improve outcomes and contribute to national development.

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