LAGOS, NIGERIA – April 9, 2025 — Marine Platforms Limited has marked a significant milestone in its mission to build indigenous capacity with the groundbreaking of Nigeria’s first Institute of Subsea Engineering and Underwater Studies at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Held at the UNILAG lagoon waterfront, the ceremony signaled a bold investment in training, technology, and transformation for Nigeria’s future engineering workforce. This fully funded initiative by Marine Platforms is designed not just as a building, but as a living legacy of empowerment and innovation.

The sod-turning was jointly performed by UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, and Marine Platforms CEO, Mr. Taofik Adegbite, with faculty leaders and company executives in attendance.

Professor Ogunsola praised the project’s alignment with the university’s commitment to real-world learning, stating: “This initiative will not only benefit our students and staff, but the broader engineering workforce, addressing crucial gaps in marine and underwater operations.”

In his remarks, Mr. Adegbite spoke of Marine Platforms’ journey in subsea engineering and the vision to scale its impact. “We’ve trained and empowered individuals with no prior subsea experience, and they now drive critical projects in the field. This Institute is a platform to multiply that impact and transform not just careers, but the industry itself.”

The new Institute will offer a range of training programs, including full-time and part-time certificates in Subsea Engineering and Diplomas in ROV Operations. Developed in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen and other global partners, the curriculum blends academic rigor with practical experience through modern simulators and technical equipment.

Strategically located on a 765-square-meter site, the three-story steel facility will house classrooms, a subsea engineering library, workshops, and a VMAX Simulator. It will also feature hands-on access to a SAAB Seaeye Falcon Mini-ROV system, a Mery Fisher Work Boat, and jetty access.

According to Professor Samson Oluropo Adeosun, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the facility will enhance UNILAG’s capacity to deliver specialized programs and strengthen its position as a leading institution in engineering education.

This vision was first proposed in 2019, as part of Marine Platforms’ partnership with the University of Aberdeen to establish a postgraduate subsea engineering program. Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project received Senate approval and has now become a reality.

For Marine Platforms, this Institute represents a strategic step toward building a future-ready offshore workforce. With strong academic linkages, real-world training infrastructure, and a commitment to innovation, the Institute of Subsea Engineering and Underwater Studies at UNILAG is set to become a center of excellence for the entire region.

About Marine Platforms

Marine Platforms Limited is a Nigerian-owned offshore service company providing integrated subsea solutions across the Gulf of Guinea and beyond. With core capabilities in subsea construction, well intervention, IRM, and asset integrity, the company is driven by excellence, innovation, and a strong commitment to local capacity development. Headquartered in Lagos with operational assets in Portharcourt Nigeria, Technical office in Aberdeen, Marine Platforms continues to play a leading role in advancing Nigeria’s offshore industry.

For media enquiries, please contact: communications@marineplatforms.com