Energy
Sahara Power Group, Pan-Atlantic University Collaborate On Human Capital
The Sahara Power Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) to drive enhanced human capital in the power sector.
Biztellers reports that the parties would aim to achieve this through transformative engineering education and fostering collaboration across industries.
It was gathered that under the partnership the Sahara Power Group would be joining forces with the PAU’s School of Science and Technology for capacity building through shared knowledge driven by insights, experiences, and opportunities for exchange programs between the parties.
This is expected to shore up “empirical capacity and impact” required to make the power sector “innovative, adaptable and sustainable” across the value chain.
Describing the partnership as a unique example of “town-gown relations”, the Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, Dr. Anthony Youdeowei, said “This is the beginning of a very fruitful engagement between Sahara and PAU.
“We look forward to commencing this promising collaboration, first with Egbin Power Plc, Sahara’s Power Generation Company and then cascading to our other entities, Ikeja Electric and First Independent Power Limited. We are confident that this partnership will chart the roadmap towards transforming Nigeria’s power sector.”
Youdeowei added that Sahara Power remained committed to seeking out partnerships that would help drive its vision of “Creating Valuable and Sustainable Energy Solutions responsibly”.
According to Prof Christian Bolu, a Professor of Mechatronics Engineering, and the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, PAU, the partnership will help PAU students to achieve an “outside perspective” and understand the importance of sustainable business practices in solving the real-life challenges of the power sector.
“This is definitely an opportunity for Pan-Atlantic University to not only benefit from the resources that the Sahara Power Group will provide in the collaborative partnership, but also, while it serves as a chance for us in the academia, with support from Sahara Power, to address challenges faced within the industry,” he said.
On the details of the agreement, Head, Talent Management, Sahara Power Group, Henry Ajibola, stated: “We are very confident that this collaboration between Sahara Power Group and Pan-Atlantic University is the step in the right direction. Having Sahara Power employees go to Pan-Atlantic University as adjunct lecturers means a transference of practical knowledge as well as experience.”
He further emphasized that these efforts will subsequently create a symbiotic relationship where academia and industry collaborate seamlessly for mutual benefit, ultimately contributing to the advancement of engineering education and practice in Nigeria.
On her part, Director, Alumni and Internship, Pan-Atlantic University, Nkiru Ukachukwu, said PAU was looking forward to the impact of the partnership on the expertise of PAU students, especially with regards to functional knowledge of how the sector operates and what is required to transform the power sector in Nigeria.
“With this collaboration we can already project a pipeline of young engineers that are future ready and equipped with the know-how to tackle Nigeria’s peculiar power challenges,” she stated.
Sahara Power Group has consistently advocated the need for the power sector in Africa to rethink its human capital profile to enable it address challenges, optimize emerging opportunities, drive generational knowledge transfer, and birth future solutions today through technology.
“This partnership, is one of the vehicles for keeping employees agile and adaptable to unfolding trends”, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma added.
Sahara Power Group operates Egbin Power, the largest thermal plant in sub-Saharan Africa, Ikeja Electric, Nigeria’s largest distribution company, and First Independent Power Limited (FIPL). Sahara Power, through these entities, contributes 17% (percent) of power generated and distributed in Nigeria, making it the nation’s foremost power company.
The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has been named Major Oil Company of the Year for last year by a Nigerian publication, Energy Times.
Biztellers reports that this is in recognition of the company’s contributions to deep-water oil and gas development and the industry generally.
Energy Times also awarded the title of Amazon of Nigeria’s Oil Sector for 2024 to Elohor Aiboni, a former Managing Director of SNEPCo now on international assignment in Brunei.
The awards were presented to SNEPCo’s Senior Operations Manager, Bolanle Odunayo-Ojo, who represented the Managing Director, Ronald Adams at a ceremony attended by key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.
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“We are honored to receive the recognitions for the company and our former Managing Director as they underscore our dedication to excellence in the upstream sector,” Bolanle stated. “The modest achievements are result from teamwork and support by our partners, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and regulatory agencies. The awards encourage us to continue to work together to power progress and innovation in Nigeria’s energy landscape.”
The SNEPCo has been a pioneer in Nigeria’s deep-water oil and gas production since it began production from Bonga in 2005, Nigeria’s first deep-water well. Gas from Bonga is also piped to Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited at Bonny Island. SNEPCo’s operations have led to significant discoveries, including Bonga Southwest in 2001 and Bonga Northwest, which began production on August 5, 2014.
In its award, the Board of Directors of Energy Times pointed to the continuing success of Bonga, notably production of the 1 billionth barrel of oil in February 2023 and the recent Final Investment Decision on the $5 billion Bonga North project.
The award on Aiboni’s highlights a career that has seen her serve in various business and leadership roles within and outside Nigeria. She was appointed Managing Director of SNEPCo in 2021 and led initiatives that deepened operational efficiency, local content development and social investment projects across the six geopolitical zones in the country.
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo,) one of the sponsors of the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) has commended it as a platform for driving change in Nigeria’s energy sector through the discussions that centre on business performance, cost discipline and process simplification.
“This event is special to the Shell brand, not only because of the nostalgia of Oloibiri but the quality of discourse it has enabled in our sector over the years,” SNEPCO Managing Director Ronald Adams said in a goodwill speech delivered by General Manager, Wells and Geosciences Operations Joe Mordi. He said: “We are grateful to the Society of Petroleum Engineers and our host the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for another successful outing.”
Organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum began in 1991, in commemoration of the country’s first commercial oil discovery by Shell at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, in 1956. Ronald said recent developments in the Upstream and Downstream sectors of the energy industry, including the $5-billion final investment decision by Shell in the Bonga North Deepwater project echoed the sentiments around the first oil discovery.
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He noted that, “These strides come with a commitment to excellence required of us – for stakeholders, colleagues, our country and indeed, future generations. The theme for this year ‘Driving energy sustainability through technology, policy and supply chain excellence’ reflects this commitment. The future is bright, and we have the opportunity to co-create it.”
In line with its continuous improvement culture, the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) will be working closely with its stakeholders to improve operational efficiency in its domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (DLPG) supply in Nigeria.
According to a statement from its General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, this was highlighted at an engagement session with stakeholders in Lagos.
It was gathered that the NLNG plans to enhance engagement and improve operational efficiency of its LPG supply through digitalisation of some of its processes which include a new platform designed to streamline regulatory processes, optimise risk management, and enhance the buyer experience. The platform will feature IT-supported relationship management, automated issue resolution, centralised real-time payments, and improved case management systems, ensuring a seamless supply process despite market shifts and external pressures.
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Manager, Commercial Contract Management, NLNG, Tolulope Longe, reiterated that the planned improvements will enable and consolidate NLNG’s resolve to delivering 100% of its LPG supply to the Nigerian market.
She said a strategic roadmap was in play to ensure the achievement of NLNG’s longstanding goals of LPG being accessible and available in the country, aligning with its vision of being a globally competitive energy company, improving lives sustainably. She also harped on the significance of these improvement initiatives and the Company’s push for LPG utilisation as a clean energy source alternative to kerosene and other fossil fuels
Longe noted that the Company remained focused on growth and sustainability of the LPG market by continuously enhancing its supply processes in collaboration with offtakers. She stressed NLNG’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to maintain pricing stability and long-term market viability. While acknowledging industry concerns, she noted the importance of operational efficiency in meeting market demands.
NLNG aims to strengthen stakeholder engagement and improve market efficiency in the LPG sector through enhanced customer interactions, minimised schedule disruptions, timely confirmations and deliveries, and prioritisation of customers with demonstrable capacity. As it adapts to market realities, NLNG remains committed to driving sustainability and delivering lasting value to Nigerians.
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