Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has taken a significant step to revolutionize e-learning and technology-driven teaching and research at the Niger Delta University. The company has established a cutting-edge digital library on the university campus, a multi-billion naira facility designed to enhance the educational experience for students and faculty alike.
According to Lanre Lawuyi, the General Manager of Nigerian Content Development at Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), the two-story digital library can hold over 2,000 users at once. It has many modern features, such as an e-learning and Wi-Fi lounge, reading halls, meeting rooms, research spaces, a photography studio, an online education center, offices, and advanced ICT infrastructure.
Lawuyi highlighted Shell’s dedication to supporting local development and building skills in Nigeria. He said, “Shell works closely with local contractors in all our oil and gas operations, onshore and offshore. We award contracts and help build their skills and expertise. This is a daily commitment, and the learning center project at Amassoma is a recent example.”
Lawuyi emphasized the positive impact of promoting local content development. He said, “One benefit of Nigerian Content Development (NCD) is that companies we support go on to empower other businesses. At Shell, we see NCD as a marathon, not a sprint. It requires hard work and support from all stakeholders with the right policies to help Nigerian companies handle contracts in Nigeria and West Africa.”
Enyinna Onyegbule, the Managing Director of Amecron, the indigenous contractor that built the digital library, thanked Shell and other companies for their support. He said, “We’ve grown to handle engineering construction, project management, ICT, procurement services, and HR management. We’ve completed many contracts for SPDC and SNEPCo and were ready for the standards and demands of the NDU project.”
Oludotun Taiwo, the Project Coordinator at Amecron, emphasized the company’s strong focus on safety during construction. “Safety was our top priority. We followed SNEPCo‘s guidelines on Health Safety and Environment (HSE) and created plans that they approved. We tested these plans in drills and held regular toolbox meetings. Amecron management conducted site visits to ensure compliance. We trained 31 personnel in basic fire-fighting skills and further trained 20 as Tier 1 first aid responders.”
The digital library and learning center at Niger Delta University are funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), its co-venture partners, and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). This joint effort aims to provide Nigerian students and researchers with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the fast-changing digital world.
