The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has announced that the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), owned by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), is ready for commissioning.
During a facility tour on Friday, the Minister noted that the institution, located along the Kaduna–Zaria Expressway behind the Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex, has reached 90% completion.
“I want to believe maybe you met this place about at the rate of 60 per cent or thereabout, but today, it is up to 90 per cent. The remaining one can be concluded within the next few days,” he stated.
For over 15 years, the project had remained stalled, but under the current PTDF leadership, construction has neared completion.
The PTDF Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Galadima Aminu, had in February expressed hope that the college would be inaugurated by June or July 2025.
After inspecting the facilities, Minister Ekpo praised the infrastructure and commended the leadership of the college.
“I am impressed with what I have seen in this place. So, kudos to the Executive Secretary,” he said.
“Seeing is believing. Today we have come to see what is operational here.”
He highlighted the college’s world-class features, including an international conference centre and a digital library.
“This place is world standard from what I have seen. The international conference centre, the library, it gives me hope that Nigeria is heading somewhere,” he remarked.
He added that the conference centre could host global events, generating revenue and showcasing Nigeria’s capabilities.
The Minister emphasized the role of CPESK in the country’s energy transition and urged a shift from diesel to cleaner alternatives.
“Under this energy transition, we should play down on utilization of diesel and move into gas,” he said.
“I want to call upon the Executive Secretary to liaise with Energy Commission and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to see how they can provide solar power assist in the power usage of the area and of course to safe the environment.”
He further underlined the importance of local content development and noted that the college’s split-site PhD program will help curb capital flight while equipping Nigerians with critical skills.
“This is all about local content development. We developed people here that will be able to handle the critical sectors, it will be good for us. This will curtail capital flight for the good of Nigerians.”
Ekpo urged that the college be commissioned promptly so it can begin academic activities in 2025.
“I want us to continue and make sure this place is commissioned by Mr. President very soon so that we start academic activities by 2025 to add value to our country,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, PTDF Executive Secretary Ahmed Galadima Aminu confirmed that the college is set to admit its first cohort of students.
“We look forward to returning in the coming weeks to formally commission the College,” he said.
Aminu highlighted the college’s integrated campus which includes specialized wings for management, technology, and postgraduate studies.
“The College is situated on 86 hectares of land and features an integrated campus designed to support academic activities, research, and residential living,” he explained.
“The campus provides essential services including dining facilities, laundry services, convenience stores, mosque and chapel, indoor sports facilities for basketball, football, volleyball, and tennis.”
He noted that the college has secured strategic academic partnerships with institutions such as the University of Strathclyde, Robert Gordon University, and the University of Portsmouth to support its split-site postgraduate programs.
“These partnerships will enable CPESK to deliver split-site postgraduate programs, where students will primarily study in Nigeria with short periods of study in the UK.”
Aminu also mentioned that PTDF has partnered with NNPC Limited through the NNPC Academy to offer professional and technical training.
“We have partnered with NNPC Limited through the NNPC Academy to deliver industry-based training,” he said.
He disclosed that the advertisement for the PTDF split-site PhD scholarship is ongoing, and that the college has received 531 applications so far.
“So far, we have received 531 applications from candidates intending to study at CPESK. The first cohort of students will be admitted at CPESK in the coming weeks,” Aminu concluded.
