NLNG awards 10 scholars postgraduate scholarships to study renewable energy, oil&gas law, others in UK Universities 

Oredola Adeola

Ten Nigerians have received post-graduate scholarships from Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) to study for master’s degrees at the Universities of Aberdeen and Cranfield in the United Kingdom.

The 2022 cycle came to a close on Monday in Port Harcourt when the award was given to the new Post-Graduate Scholars.

Recall that  Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas(NLNG) Plc, is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC (49%), Shell Gas BV, SGBV, (25.6%), Total Gaz Electricite Holdings France (15%), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S.àr. l (10.4%).

EnergyDay gathered that the Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme, fully funded and administered by NLNG, was launched with the specific aim of growing a pool of dedicated professionals expected to bridge the specialist skills gap, in core areas that the country required expertise.

The scheme, which targets growing a pool of high potential Nigerian graduates and professionals with a competitive advantage, offers the following areas of study: Environmental Studies, Engineering, Management, Information Technology, Geosciences, Renewable Energy, Law, and Medicine. So far, 92 persons have benefited from the scheme.

The names of the beneficiaries are David-Isaac Arinze, (MSc Sustainability Transitions, University of Aberdeen), Osahenrumwen Ofumwengbe, (MSc International Business Management, University of Aberdeen), Judith Nwaeke, (MSc Environmental Management for Business, Cranfield University), Patson Egberibine (MSc Renewable Energy, Cranfield University) and Vivian Magboh (MSc Global Health and Management, University of Aberdeen).

Others are Bosah Nwokeji (Msc Advanced Chemical Engineering, University of Aberdeen) Goodtime Okara (LLM Oil and Gas Law with Professional Skills, University of Aberdeen) Ikechukwu Dike (MSc Data Science, University of Aberdeen)  Nathaniel Uyoh, (MSc Renewable Energy, Cranfield University) and Boizy Pepple – MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering, Cranfield University.

Mr. Andy Odeh, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, in his remark at the event on Monday, said the scholarship was in line with the Company’s vision of “helping to build a better Nigeria.”

He said NLNG offers post-primary, undergraduate, and post-graduate scholarships to students in its host communities and across the country.

Odeh said, “The ten scholars were selected from a list of 921 people who applied for thE year’s post-graduate scholarship. The process for selection was thorough, designed to ensure the emergence of the right crop of scholars with academic excellence and the ambition to become better persons and to impact society.

“This is a lifetime opportunity to turn dreams into reality. These scholars are about to go through excellent universities and will acquire not just world-class knowledge in chosen fields but also the life-long skills and experiences that will elevate them to become international citizens.

He urged the beneficiaries not to throw this opportunity away, Odeh charged them to return to Nigeria after graduation to contribute meaningfully to the development of our country. “The country needs them,” he said.

“NLNG  is a globally competitive LNG company determined in fulfilling its objective of ‘helping to build a better Nigeria’.  We strive to improve our local communities, build local businesses, and the country at large, through human capital development,”

“The scheme has a financial value of USD67, 500 per awardee per programme which covers tuition, accommodation, a thesis project, and living expenses.
“The Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme was launched in October 2012 to support deserving Nigerians in acquiring post-graduate education in leading universities in the United Kingdom,” Mr. Odeh noted.

Professor Prince Mmom,   Rivers State Commissioner of Education, in his part, commended NLNG for the scheme.

He said,  “What NLNG is doing here is giving financial aid to pursue dreams.
The scholarship and studies will improve your profile for your personal brand and for employment. It will help to unleash the maximum potential in the scholars and provide access to world-class resources.”

EnergyDay gathered that about two thousand eight hundred and ninety-three, (2,893) undergraduates have passed through the NLNG Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme since its inception in 1998. NLNG also runs a Post-Primary Scholarship Scheme which commenced in 2012.

The company’s interest in education also influenced its commencement of the University Support Programme (USP), where $12 million was invested in the provision of world-class engineering laboratories and facilities in 6 (six) Nigerian Universities across the 6 (six) geo-political zones in the country.