NLNG’s University Support Programme, launched in 2014, is part of its commitment to develop education and complement government and stakeholders' efforts. NLNG spent about USD12 million (USD2 million per university) to build modern engineering laboratories and/or furnish them with cutting edge engineering equipment to aid teaching and research in six universities across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. The six universities and regions are University of Ibadan (South-West); University of Ilorin (North-Central); University of Port-Harcourt (South-South); University of Maiduguri (North-East); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (North-West); and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (South-East).
The universities were selected based on rankings by the National Universities Commission, other international bodies, as well as records of their long-standing accomplishments in human capacity development in the country, especially in the area of engineering and technical education for national development.
On June 20, 2014, NLNG signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the six universities s flagging off implementation of the project which was completed in 2016.
On the 21st of November 2015, His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Executive Governor of Kaduna State, represented by Mohammed Bashir Saidu, Kaduna State Commissioner of Local Government, commissioned the NLNG Multi-User Laboratories Building in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. On 29th March 2016, NLNG/University of Ibadan Engineering Laboratory Complex was commissioned by His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Executive Governor of Oyo State, represented by his Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Chief Moses Adeyemo.
On the 1st of April 2016, His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom E. Wike, Executive Governor of Rivers State, represented by his Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, commissioned the NLNG/University of Port Harcourt Centre for Gas, Refining, and Petrochemical Engineering.
His Excellency, Dr. AbdulFatah Ahmed, Executive Governor of Kwara State, represented by the Commissioner for Education and Human Development, Musa Ayinla Yeketi, commissioned the NLNG/University of Ilorin Engineering Research Centre on 8th July 2016. On 28th November 2016, the NLNG/University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Engineering Laboratory was commissioned by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Executive Governor of Enugu State, who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo.
The NLNG University Support Programme was brought to a successful closure with the commissioning of the NLNG/University of Maiduguri Faculty of Engineering Laboratories on 6th December 2016 by His Excellency, Hon. Kashim Shettima, Executive Governor of Borno State, represented by his Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Usman Mamman Dukwa.
