The Federal University of Technology, Akure recently played host to technocrats in the downstream sector of the oil industry and scholars in related field. The one-day Technology Knowledge Sharing Programme (TKSP) with the theme, “Geology and Mineral Deposits in the Nigerian Flank of the Chad Basin: Implication for Hydrocarbon Potential for sustainable Development’ was sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).
Addressing the participants, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Adedayo Fasakin said the workshop was significant to the country because it involved thorough-bred specialists in the fields of Geology and Applied Geology brain storming for the benefit of the nation, the academia and humanity. He however, reminded the gathering that implementation was crucial to achieving any laudable success in any academic endeavor. Prof. Daramola said, “The question of impact is the main challenge in the activities of the intelligentsia and academia in our society. We are very long on discussion but short on implementation.’ He therefore challenged the participants to ensure the implementation of the outcome of the workshop.
The General Manager, Administration and Human Resources, PTDF, Mr. Jide Adebulehin represented by the Head, Human Resources Division, Mr. Mohammed Haruna in his address urged the authorities in the sector to properly utilize the resources in the Chad Basin so that new vistas of opportunity could be opened for the Nigerian economy. Mr. Adebulehin said reality must be separated from fiction to address the integrated data system of the hydrocarbon potential in the Chad Basin for exploration activities. According to him, ‘petroleum system of Chad Basin is full of potential that can be harnessed to develop the Nigerian economy’.
At the end of the workshop the team of experts which included, Professor MAO Rahman , Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr. Bertram Ozumba of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Prof. D.O. Adefolalu, Dean, School of Earth and Mineral Sciences, FUTA. Prof. J.A. Adekoya , Osun State University, Prof. Ibrahim Goni PTDF Chair, University of Maiduguri, Prof. O.S. Adegoke, Consultant Mosunmolu Nig. Ltd. concluded that, “to be able to maximize the potential of Geology and Mineral Deposits in the Nigeria Flank of the Chad Basin, there must be an increase in the research grants to cover large areas of seismic surveys and drilling wells. This is because the basin has higher potential to generate gas and lower potential for oil’.
They also called for continuous studies to be carried out in Nigeria like it has been done in Niger, Ghana and Cameroon because of the potentials in hydrocarbon accumulation in the basin which is favorable to gas exploration.
