BRIEF HISTORY:
The first fulltime Part I Geology Courses began in Ahmadu Bello University in October 1967, but it was not until December 1969, that the Department was formally established. The 1969/70 Academic session was practically the first Academic year in the existence of Geology as a Department. The first honours degrees in geology were awarded in June 1970. Before the formalization of Geolo
gy as a Department, it was already apparent that Zaria had several advantages as a centre for the study of geosciences because of its central location to areas of outstanding geological interests in the northern part of the country. Besides providing routine training on a broad-based curriculum for first degree holders the Department aimed from the beginning to produce postgraduates interested in using the acquired techniques to go into applied geology, specifically into the fields of mineral exploration and groundwater studies which were considered priorities for the development of the Nigerian natural resources potential. First degree courses were therefore designed to enable graduate to find employment in different types of geological work, in the Petroleum Industry, Mining Companies. Water Boards and River Basin Development Authorities. Construction and Engineering Geology Firms, and Government services. In mineral exploration and groundwater studies the Department believed then that Ahmadu Bello University was the best located of all Nigerian Universities at the time for studies in five major fields, namely, the Nigerian Tinfields of the Jos Plateau and surrounding areas. The Basement Complex of Northwest and North-central Nigeria, the Younger Volcanic Rocks between the Jos Plateau and the Cameroons, the Sedimentary Basins of the Chad, Sokoto Niger (Bida) and Benue Trough. Specific proposals were outlined under:
a) Tin fields projects
b) Groundwater Resources, and
c) Chad Basin Oil Research
By the 1978/79 session the academic objectives of the Department were further defined in one of the annual returns from the Department to the University administration as follows:
1. To train competent geologists who are urgently needed for exploring and mapping Nigeria – a rapidly developing country with large expanses of geologically unexplored areas.
2. To carry out practically-oriented research programmes into various geological problems affecting the development of the natural resources of the country.
3. To provide graduate geologists with up-to-date specialized professional skills that will greatly enhance their knowledge and capacity for self-employment.
4. To provide training for research in areas of geological science of particular relevance to national regional requirements in Nigeria and Africa. Entry Requirements:
100-Level Entry
Candidates must satisfy the University general requirements and that of the Faculty of Science with regard to English Language and Mathematics respectively. In addition candidates must have obtained Five Credits at O/Level, which must include Chemistry, Physics and Biology. Candidates are also admitted from the University Senate approved Remedial programme.
200-Level
Provision is also made for Direct Entry by those candidates who must posses a minimum of two papers at the GCE ‘A’ Level (or equivalent) in Geology and any of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Geography, Botany and Zoology. Such candidates must also have the JME Entry Requirements, which include University, and Faculty requirements in English Language and Mathematics respectively and five credits at ‘O’ Level (or equivalent), which must include Chemistry, Physics and Biology. Upon acceptance of the offer or provisional admission, each candidate shall be given a three month provisional registration by the Postgraduate School.
2. Tuition and other fees shall, except where exemption has been granted by the University, be payable by all candidates provisionally registered for postgraduate studies at rates prescribed from time to time by the University Council.
3. Before the expiration of the three months of provisional registration for each candidate, the appropriate Faculty shall apply, through the postgraduate school, to senate for approval of the registration for either the postgraduate Diploma, Masters or Doctoral degree.
4. Once approved and in order to remain a bona-fide postgraduate student, each candidate shall renew his/her registration with the Postgraduate school at the beginning of each academic year until he/she is examined on the project report/thesis/dissertations, and has submitted copies of hard-bound thesis and earned the Completion of Regulations Certificate (CRC) of the school.
5. Neither the Postgraduate School nor the University senate shall be obliged to give reasons for rejecting the candidature of any applicant for postgraduate studies. Academic Programmes:
B.Sc. Geology (4-Years)
Postgraduate Diploma (1-year)
M.Sc.Geology (2-Years) Full-Time
Ph.D.Geology (3-Years) Full-Time
