The Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, has enlisted 14 professors and 23 research students from different Nigerian universities for its joint venture sabbatical and internship programmes.
Igo Weli, the General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, made the disclosure in a statement by the company’s Spokesman, Mr Michael Adande on Wednesday.
It would recalled that in March 2025, Renaissance completed its acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) shares, and took over the firm’s joint venture operations.
Renaissance, a consortium of indigenous and international oil firms, acquired SPDC following recent divestment by Shell UK from onshore operations.
Weli said that the programme would provide practical industry experience opportunity for lecturers and research students.
He described the move as a reliable way to strengthen teaching and research, and to build a pool of industry professionals that could drive Nigeria’s energy ambition beyond the 21st century.
Weli said that the sabbatical participants would be deployed in different operational areas of the exploration and production business of the company.
“This includes, biodiversity, petroleum engineering, social investment, community health and environmental impact assessment.
“The sabbatical and research internship programme is a mutually beneficial relationship, the programme also offers us access to specialised expertise from academics.
“We are investing in next generation’s innovators, we are excited that we are on this path of making invaluable contributions to Nigerian content development.
The General Manager stated that the company would continue to strengthen its relationship with the academia through intervention programmes.
“Our intervention programmes have resulted in the setting up of professorial chairs and centres of excellence in some universities particularly in the Niger Delta,” he said.(NAN)
