UniPort Launches Groundbreaking Energy Technology Institute in Landmark Collaboration with CypherCrescent
The University of Port Harcourt has entered a transformative phase in its pursuit of research excellence with the official groundbreaking of the Energy Technology Institute (ETI)—a monumental initiative born from a strategic partnership with CypherCrescent Nigeria Limited, an innovation-driven energy technology and web development company led by its Founder and CEO, Engr. ThankGod Egbe, a distinguished alumnus of the University.
The groundbreaking ceremony marked a significant moment in UniPort’s journey toward becoming a global leader in energy education and innovation. The state-of-the-art ETI building, unveiled during the event, is envisioned as a cutting-edge hub for multidisciplinary research, innovation, and capacity building in energy technology. Designed to empower students, academics, and industry experts alike, the Institute will focus on solving real-world energy challenges using advanced scientific, mathematical, and computational tools.
Present at the event were the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, members of University Management, and a distinguished array of stakeholders from Nigeria’s energy and technology ecosystem. Notable attendees included representatives from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), NNPC New Energies, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), NIGCOMSAT, Triple Helix Nigeria, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA). These institutions, in a show of national solidarity, pledged their support to the success and sustainability of the ETI initiative.
A Visionary Gift and Technological Boost
A key highlight of the occasion was the donation of a powerful research software suite—CypherCrescent’s SEPAL Solver. This indigenous mathematical software library, developed to handle complex engineering and scientific computations, will be integrated into the Institute’s core research infrastructure. With capabilities spanning computational modeling, simulation, and optimization, the SEPAL Solver will significantly boost UniPort’s capacity to lead innovation in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Words from the Visionary
In his remarks, Engr. ThankGod Egbe reaffirmed CypherCrescent’s unwavering commitment to building local capacity through strategic academic partnerships. “This project is more than a building—it’s a symbol of what we can achieve when we align vision, innovation, and education,” he stated. “CypherCrescent believes in the transformative power of research and its ability to reshape Nigeria’s energy future. Our partnership with the University of Port Harcourt is a long-term investment in the talent and potential that reside within our academic institutions.”
A Milestone for UniPort and Nigerian Higher Education
Speaking on behalf of the University, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, the Vice Chancellor, expressed heartfelt appreciation for what he called a “historic gesture of academic philanthropy and innovation.” He noted:
“The Energy Technology Institute represents more than a physical structure—it is a bold declaration of intent. An intent to lead. To innovate. To shape the future of energy education in Nigeria and across Africa. We are deeply proud of Engr. ThankGod Egbe, whose generosity and foresight continue to elevate the name of UniPort. Through partnerships like this, our University will not only remain relevant in the global research space but will drive the solutions that tomorrow demands.” The Vice Chancellor emphasized that the collaboration exemplifies the power of alumni engagement and private-sector collaboration in reshaping the future of higher education. He assured stakeholders that the University would provide the enabling environment necessary to ensure the Institute achieves its ambitious goals.
The Future Begins Here
With construction now underway, the Energy Technology Institute is set to become a beacon of excellence, igniting a new era of research-driven development in Nigeria’s energy sector. The facility will support interdisciplinary programs, foster innovation-led academic inquiry, and serve as a launchpad for scalable, real-world solutions to some of the energy industry’s most pressing challenges.
The University of Port Harcourt extends its profound gratitude to CypherCrescent, its partners, and all stakeholders for their unwavering support. The future of energy research in Nigeria just took a monumental step forward—and UniPort is proudly leading the charge.
