By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund has announced plans to establish an Information and Communication Technology centre at the proposed Command Science and Technical College in Ankpa, Kogi State.
The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Prof. Shehu Aliyu, disclosed this in Abuja during a visit by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, and his delegation to the Fund’s headquarters.
Aliyu said the initiative followed a request by the Nigerian Army for a strategic partnership and support for the proposed college, which will focus on science, technology, engineering, ICT and technical education.
He said the partnership aligns with PTDF’s mandate to develop indigenous capacity in the oil, gas and energy sector through research, scholarships, specialised training and educational institutions.
Aliyu noted that PTDF already supports military education through its In-country Scholarship Scheme, which sponsors scholars at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna. He added that Government Day Secondary School, Army Barracks, Yola, is also a beneficiary of the Fund’s STEM Programme.
The PTDF boss also appealed to the Army to strengthen security around the Fund’s Centres of Excellence in Kaduna and Port Harcourt, describing the facilities as national assets supporting specialised education, technical training, research and capacity development.
Responding, Shaibu said the Army was seeking to develop specialised skills in command-and-control systems and drone technology to strengthen its response to contemporary security challenges.
The Army chief said terrorism, insurgency and banditry had increased the need to develop and domesticate critical technological capabilities in Nigeria.
Shaibu said the Army was interested in PTDF’s support to build a pool of skilled personnel capable of contributing to the development of indigenous companies focused on command-and-control systems and other technologies.
He also welcomed PTDF’s support for Command Secondary Schools, saying improved facilities and equipment would help nurture young talents and contribute to national development.
