L-R: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole SAN, in handshake with the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Bashir Bayo Ojulari,following a meeting held between officials of both organisations at the NNPC Towers in Abuja recently. Credit: UNILORIN. The University of Ilorin and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have established a joint strategic committee to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions. This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Corporate Affairs of the university, Kunle Akogun, following a meeting held between officials of both organisations at the NNPC Towers in Abuja last Wednesday. According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, led the university’s delegation to the meeting, while the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, led the company’s team. Akogun said discussions between the two parties focused on the proposed establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the University of Ilorin dedicated to practical engineering and technology-driven research. The proposed centre, according to him, is expected to be the first of its kind in West Africa. The meeting also explored the possibility of establishing an NNPCL Professorial Chair at the university to promote industry-driven research and strengthen academic expertise in key areas of the energy sector. “The joint committee, which will refine the details of the partnership, is expected to report back within four weeks,” the statement said. Other members of the University of Ilorin delegation included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Mukhtar Adeiza Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Joshua Olaoye, among others.