As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen international collaboration for effective environmental remediation, on Monday 7 April 2025, the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, took a delegation of HYPREP and the Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (crcCARE), University of Newcastle, Australia on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss strategic collaboration in environmental assessment and remediation, particularly in relation to the vision for the HYPREP Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration.
The Honourable Minister expressed keen interest in working with crcCARE, describing the institution as a world-renowned Centre of Excellence in cutting-edge research and innovative technologies for addressing complex environmental challenges. He emphasized the potential to replicate the crcCARE model at HYPREP’s Centre of Excellence, transforming it into an internationally recognised hub for researchers and scholars from across Africa and beyond.
Commending the reconnaissance survey conducted by the crcCARE team, the Honourable Minister noted the technical complexity of the identified sites and emphasized the need for detailed site characterization to inform the application of effective remediation technologies. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that only highly qualified and experienced companies will be engaged in the assessment and remediation of the high-risk, complex sites in Ogoniland.
The Minister further acknowledged the transformative leadership of Professor Zabbey, stating that the milestones recorded under his tenure are unprecedented in the history of HYPREP.
In response, the Managing Director and CEO of crcCARE, Distinguished Laureate Professor Ravi Naidu reaffirmed crcCARE’s dedication to deploying best-in-class technologies for environmental assessment and remediation. He pledged to support the operationalization of HYPREP’s Centre of Excellence, in alignment with global standards, and reassured the Honourable Minister of crcCARE’s commitment to a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.
Earlier in the day, the HYPREP-crcCARE delegation met with the Australian High Commission in Abuja, represented by the embassy’s Political Officer, Mr. Calum Walker. Discussions at the meeting focused on enhancing collaboration in the areas of capacity building, research, and scholarship initiatives.
The Political Officer commended the ongoing partnership between HYPREP and crcCARE and reiterated the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting HYPREP’s work, particularly in strengthening institutional capacity and creating educational opportunities for young professionals.
Expressing his delight and appreciation, Professor Zabbey highlighted the importance of capacity building and scholarship programmes for Ogoni youth, highlighting their intelligence, resilience, and potential. He noted that the collaboration with crcCARE and support from the Australian Government represent a significant opportunity to empower the next generation of environmental leaders.
The visit marked a significant step towards building an international model for environmental remediation, with the HYPREP Centre of Excellence positioned at the core of this shared vision.
