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The Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, has reiterated its commitment to funding geological field research, a move that could be a game-changer in Nigeria’s efforts to leverage its natural resources for sustainable economic development.
In a bid to strengthen geoscience education, PTDF Executive Secretary Ahmed Aminu convened a workshop in Enugu, where he shared expertise and facilitated hands-on training for early-career lecturers from state and federal universities in the southeast.
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According to Neeka Jacob, representing Ahmed Aminu, PTDF’s research and innovation expert, while geology students are required to complete 100 days of fieldwork, a significant disconnect remains between the theoretical and practical aspects of the field, leaving both students and educators in need of enhanced training.
Despite the challenges, the PTDF remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing Nigeria’s educational landscape, particularly in the critical field of geosciences, which is vital to the nation’s economic prosperity. To this end, the organization continues to sponsor field trips for lecturers and students, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Professor Wilfred Mode, PTDF Research Chair in Petroleum Geology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, emphasized that the workshop aims to create a collaborative environment where early-career academics in geosciences can exchange ideas and gain hands-on experience in the field.
“We want to ensure that investment in the classrooms also translates into benefits for the larger society and that the younger generation are groomed into experts in the field of geosciences,” he said.
Earlier, PTDF Research Chair in Petroleum Geology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Wilfred Mode, said that the primary objective of the workshop is to foster knowledge sharing and provide practical field training for early-career academics in the geoscience disciplines.
“This initiative aims to enhance their skills, broaden their research perspectives, and ensure that the future of geoscience education is in capable hands,” he said adding “It provides an opportunity for these young lecturers to learn from the practical experiences of advanced experts in the field.”
