By Matilda Ikediobi 

EFFURUN — The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, FUPRE, has intensified its drive towards becoming a technology-driven and innovation-focused institution with the unveiling of major breakthroughs in research, digital transformation, renewable energy and infrastructure development within one year of the administration of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba.

Speaking during a media briefing to mark his first year in office, Agbalagba said the university had laid a strong foundation for global competitiveness through aggressive investments in smart infrastructure, research innovation and renewable energy projects.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the university recorded 21 patents and invention disclosures across robotics, automation, renewable energy, smart systems and agricultural mechanisation within the past year.

According to him, some of the innovations developed by researchers and students include a Fire Fighting Drone System, Security Drone with real-time tracking, Smart Autonomous Wheelchair, Autonomous UAV Parcel Delivery System, Intelligent Industrial Pick-and-Place Robot, Autonomous Lawn Mower, Smart LPG Cylinder Monitoring System and Human Kinetic Energy Harvester.

Others, he said, are the Rice Husk Biomass Briquette Machine and Paper Waste-to-Ceiling Board Technology.

Agbalagba said the innovations reflected the institution’s deliberate transition towards solution-driven and industry-relevant research capable of addressing national development challenges.

“We are building an innovation ecosystem that encourages creativity, research commercialisation and practical solutions to societal problems,” he said.

He added that the university recorded more than 40 per cent growth in research output within the period under review, while the Department of Science Laboratory Technology developed 15 nano-based products currently being supported for scaling and commercialisation.

On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the administration executed over 20 capital projects through TETFund intervention and internally generated revenue.

He listed completed projects to include the renovation of the College of Science Complex, rehabilitation of TETFund Lecture Theatres I and II, upgrading of the Twin Lecture Theatre Complex, renovation of the School of Petroleum Management building and installation of solar systems across strategic facilities.

He also revealed that the university procured laboratory equipment, smart boards and a 30-seater Toyota Coaster bus, while Hostel C was fully renovated and furnished to improve student accommodation.

Agbalagba stated that ongoing projects include staff residential quarters, hostel expansion, construction of a 50-bedspace hostel, development of drainage systems, perimeter fencing, sporting facilities and campus beautification.

In the area of digital transformation, the Vice-Chancellor said the university upgraded its academic portal to support real-time registration, payments, academic tracking and result processing for over 25,000 student interactions annually.

He added that fibre-optic internet infrastructure had been expanded across major parts of the campus to strengthen connectivity and digital access.

According to him, the university also established two modern e-learning and content creation studios equipped with advanced audio-visual systems through TETFund support.

He further disclosed that Smart Classroom projects, including the Lulu Briggs Smart Classroom initiative, were progressing, while modular solar systems had been deployed to power ICT laboratories, digital studios and administrative complexes.

Agbalagba described renewable energy as a major pillar of the university’s infrastructure development agenda, revealing that FUPRE recently secured approval for a 2-megawatt solar power project valued at about N3.5 billion through the Federal Ministry of Power.

He said the institution was also advancing plans for a proposed 10-megawatt solar electrification project aimed at achieving stable campus-wide power supply and reducing dependence on the national grid.

According to him, the university is working with the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, and other stakeholders to strengthen renewable energy infrastructure for long-term sustainability.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the institution’s distance and e-learning platform had attained over 85 per cent readiness ahead of NUC resource verification and is expected to expand learning access to professionals, international students and executive programme participants.

Agbalagba said the administration remained committed to positioning FUPRE as a globally competitive centre for energy education, technology innovation, research and sustainable infrastructure development.

“Together, we are building a stronger, smarter, innovative and globally competitive FUPRE,” he stated.