President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been commended for granting a provisional license for the establishment of the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive to build local capacity in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Uba Sani expressed his appreciation on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Ahmad Galadima Aminu, at the Kaduna State Government House.
In a statement during the meeting, Governor Sani revealed that President Tinubu has graciously accepted to commission the college before the end of July.
“We cannot make progress in a fast-changing and complex society if we fail to develop local capacity,” Governor Sani stated. “This College, if well supported, has the potential to develop indigenous manpower that will transform Nigeria’s petroleum industry.”
Governor Sani emphasized that CPESK represents a strategic step toward empowering Nigerians through specialized postgraduate education, particularly at a time when the country is focusing on maximizing its energy potential and transitioning into more sustainable energy practices.
Providing updates on the institution’s development, Executive Secretary Aminu disclosed that the college will commence academic operations in September 2025, starting with its first cohort of PhD students across five faculties.
According to him, the PTDF has already received 3,702 applications for its Split-Site PhD Programme, and the ongoing screening and interview process will determine the first set of successful candidates.
“Our visit to the Governor today is to brief him on the significant progress made so far. The enthusiasm from applicants across the country is encouraging, and we are committed to setting the gold standard in petroleum and energy education,” Aminu said.
The establishment of CPESK in Kaduna is widely seen as a bold initiative aimed at addressing the skills gap in Nigeria’s petroleum and energy sectors, especially in advanced research and policy development.
The institution is expected to collaborate with local and international universities, research bodies, and industry players, ensuring that graduates are equipped with both global expertise and local relevance.
As the energy landscape continues to evolve, the college is positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of petroleum engineers, energy economists, and policy experts for Nigeria and beyond.