In a bid to bridge the gap between the academia and the industry as well as enhance research development in the country, the African University of Science and Technology(AUST), Abuja and the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Abuja branch has spelt out areas of mutual partnerships.
The President of the university, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, reaffirmed the University’s commitment in partnering with professional bodies to produce industry- ready graduates during a partnership visit to the university by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Abuja Chapter.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Onwualu emphasised the strategic importance of Nigeria’s petroleum sector and highlighted AUST’s growth from a postgraduate research-focused institution established in 2007 to a comprehensive university that expanded into undergraduate education in 2017.
He noted that the Petroleum and Energy Resources Engineering undergraduate programme, introduced in 2022, has secured full National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation and is supported by a blend of resident and visiting academic staff.
The President stressed that collaboration with professional organisations such as NAPE is essential to equipping students with practical industry knowledge and enhancing their employability. He also highlighted the University’s innovation hub, AUST Inspire, which promotes skills development, entrepreneurship, research commercialization and student start-ups, alongside its continuing professional development and short-course initiatives delivered in partnership with professional bodies.
Speaking on behalf of the NAPE Abuja Chapter, the Coordinator, Dr Mariam Yahaya-Shiru, stated that NAPE is Nigeria’s foremost professional body for petroleum explorationists and proposed a mutual and strategic collaboration with AUST’s Petroleum and Energy Resources and environmental department
. She outlined NAPE’s mission of advancing petroleum geosciences through education, research and professional development.
Dr Shiru also highlighted the association’s activities, which according to her includes quarterly technical meetings, international conferences, workshops, short courses, mentoring programmes, student competitions, virtual field trips and initiatives for young professionals and women in geosciences.
She encouraged the University to enrol her staff and students as members, establish a NAPE student chapter, nominate a focal person, and participate in upcoming technical and student engagement programmes scheduled for July and August 2026.
Shortly afterwards, Dr. Leo Morgan Akpan was appointed to serve as the focal person to coordinate the activities of the association with the university.
In a vote of thanks, Dr. Eunice Ajayi, Immediate Past Coordinator of the NAPE Abuja Chapter, expressed appreciation to the University Management for the warm reception and willingness to support the partnership, describing the collaboration as an important step towards bridging the gap between the academia and industry for the benefit of the students and the petroleum sub sector.
The AUST President was joined by Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello, Acting Vice President (Academic)/ Director, Academic Planning; Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, Head, Department of Petroleum and Energy Resources Engineering; Dr. Morgan Leo Akpan, Faculty; Petroleum and Energy Resources Engineering, Prince Obioha Sampson Atulomah, Head, Media Services and Public Relations and Ms. Blessing Chisom Iweha, Administrative Assistant, Media Services and Public Relations while Dr. Shiru was accompanied on the courtesy visit by Dr. Mutari Lawal, Secretary; Ms. Umar Judith; Financial Secretary; Dr. Eunice Ajayi, Immediate past chapter coordinator; Ms. Anomyee Christabel and Mr. Okafor Nonso.
