Offshore Lab, Shell, NNPC unveil tech hub in Bayelsa

Offshore Lab, Shell, NNPC unveil tech hub in Bayelsa

An integrated service company, The Offshore Lab, has launched its second Junior Lab technology hub for disadvantaged children under its ongoing joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The Offshore Lab is focussed on project delivery, capacity building and social innovation.

The new hub will be located at Daisy’s Home for Special Children in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State and it will provide practical, hands-on technology education for children in the community.

The Junior Lab initiative, spearheaded by The Offshore Lab, empowers young people in underserved communities by providing a fully-equipped learning centre with tailored curricula, and dedicated trainers. Junior Lab also offers students access to cutting-edge tools and training in fields such as agrotechnology, engineering, and digital innovation, making it easier for children in these communities to acquire the skills and capabilities that will set them up for a bright future.

Following the successful delivery of the first Junior Lab at Badamia Home in Port Harcourt, Rivers State last year, Daisy’s Home for Special Children will serve as the next hub.

The lab will focus on Agrotechnology, providing students with essential knowledge and practical skills to navigate the growing agri-tech sector, a key area for Nigeria’s future development. The centre will also come equipped with a greenhouse facility for practical learning and will integrate technologies like hydroponics, automated sensors and irrigation.

According to the World Economic Forum, the digital economy could add $180 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2025, thereby, empowering disadvantaged children with digital skills to ensure they are equipped to contribute to this economic potential and bridge the digital divide.

Junior Lab is part of a broader vision to improve access to technology education across Nigeria, with a goal of setting up a nationwide network of mini-ICT labs with state-of the-art equipment, tailored curriculums and dedicated trainers. Each of these labs will be tailored to address strategic national challenges in Agriculture & Climate Tech, Manufacturing & Production, Energy & Renewables, and Technology & Digital Innovation.

The CEO of The Offshore Lab, Emeka Obiwulu, highlighted the project’s transformative impact on young Nigerians, stating that: “By extending this initiative to Daisy’s Home and ultimately to local communities across the country, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth. This is about more than just education; it’s about unlocking potential, fostering innovation, and driving national development from the grassroots level.”

The Junior Lab at Badamia Home in Port Harcourt, Rivers State which launched in 2023, has already made tremendous strides in providing opportunities for the youth of Port Harcourt, particularly street boys, offering them a path towards self-discovery and intellectual growth. Students at Badamia Home have transitioned from having little exposure to technology to mastering engineering design, illustrating the vast untapped potential within Nigeria’s underserved communities.

NNPC and SPDC have been instrumental in supporting this mission. Speaking on behalf of SPDC, Igo Weli, GM Corporate Relations, noted that, “It’s exciting to witness the transformation in not just the technical skills of these young people but also their confidence and leadership. It’s initiatives like these that will help Nigeria thrive in the years to come.”