Education

Tinubu Set to Inaugurate Kaduna Petroleum College in July

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 23rd, 2025.

Tinubu Set to Inaugurate Kaduna Petroleum College in July

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to officially inaugurate the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna before the end of July, Governor Uba Sani revealed on Monday.

The announcement came during a courtesy visit by Ahmad Galadima Aminu, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.

Governor Sani praised President Tinubu for granting the provisional licence that allows the institution to operate as a private, postgraduate university dedicated to petroleum and energy studies. He highlighted the college’s potential to revolutionize local expertise in the oil and gas sector.

“In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, developing local capacity is no longer optional. This institution can become a cornerstone for building the skilled workforce needed to advance Nigeria’s petroleum industry,” the governor said.

He assured the PTDF of Kaduna State’s full cooperation, noting that the government stands ready to provide any support necessary to ensure a successful launch and smooth operation of the institution.

“This college is a landmark development—not just for Kaduna but for Nigeria’s entire energy landscape. We are proud to host a facility that will foster innovation, research, and high-level training,” he added.

During the visit, Aminu shared updates on the progress toward the college’s official takeoff. He confirmed that the institution has been licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and will begin operations in September 2025 with 19 academic programmes across six departments and three faculties.

The initial faculties include:

Faculty of Computing and Telecommunications Technology

Faculty of Earth and Applied Sciences

Faculty of Energy Law and Management Sciences

He also noted that over 3,700 candidates have applied for the Split-Site PhD Programme, which is currently undergoing the selection phase.

Aminu explained that the Split-Site model will allow students to complete most of their coursework in Kaduna, while also benefiting from short-term study visits to partner institutions in the UK, such as the University of Strathclyde, Robert Gordon University, and the University of Portsmouth.

“This hybrid academic structure merges local relevance with international exposure, giving scholars access to best practices in the global energy industry,” he said.

According to Aminu, the vision for the college was originally conceived in 2009 by the PTDF as part of its broader mission to train senior professionals for Nigeria’s energy sector. However, the initiative faced prolonged delays until renewed federal support under President Tinubu allowed for its implementation.

“With this institution now officially licensed, we are poised to fill the skills gap in petroleum and energy education. The college will become a center for knowledge, innovation, and regional collaboration,” he concluded.

Aminu also applauded Governor Sani for his unwavering support and commitment to education, which he said has been vital in bringing the project to life.