The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reaffirmed its commitment to an ongoing partnership with TotalEnergies, aiming to implement sustainable community development projects that positively impact the lives of Nigerian citizens.
Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the NNPCL, conveyed this commitment during the 2024 Symposium and Awards in Lagos.
He highlighted the collaborative efforts of NNPCL and TotalEnergies in implementing various intervention programs in education, skill acquisition, economic empowerment, healthcare, provision of solar power, and other infrastructure projects.
Wunti emphasized the significance of investing in education for the future, stating that the collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the Empowering The Teacher (ETT) program reflects their shared belief in the transformative power of knowledge.
He expressed, “Education is the cornerstone of progress, and when a program like Empowering The Teachers aligns forces with an institution of the caliber of MIT, we witness the fusion of innovation, excellence, and global collaboration.”
The Empowering the Teachers Program, according to Wunti, is not just an initiative but a commitment to nurturing the growth and development of society through the empowerment of educators.
He congratulated those honored during the event, acknowledging their role as catalysts for change, architects of progress, and mentors guiding future leaders.
Matthieu Bouyer, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, spoke about the educational initiatives that TotalEnergies, in collaboration with NNPC Limited and partners, has undertaken to enhance learning quality in Nigeria.
He highlighted the ETT program, where academics from African universities spend an intensive semester at MIT, acquiring knowledge on innovative teaching methods.
The goal is to revolutionize science and engineering teaching in African tertiary institutions and produce experts with global competitiveness.
Bouyer expressed satisfaction with the impact of the MIT-ETT scheme in Nigeria since 2013, with over 90 university lecturers benefiting from the program.
He emphasized TotalEnergies’ commitment to education development, extending beyond the MIT-ETT scheme, with employees volunteering to contribute to relevant industry perspectives.