Geoscientist Spotlight: Late Prof. Nuhu George Obaje

Prof. Nuhu George Obaje: A Pillar in Nigerian Geoscience Community

Professor Nuhu George Obaje, born on December 15, 1961, is a distinguished Nigerian geologist and the current Director of the Centre for Applied Sciences and Technology Research (CASTER) at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL) in Lapai, Niger State. He also serves as the pioneer head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) professorial chair in Basinal Studies, a position he assumed in October 2019. Known for his expertise in petroleum geology and his advocacy for oil exploration across Nigeria's hydrocarbon basins, Prof. Obaje has played a significant role in advancing geoscientific research in the country.

Early Life and Education

Prof. Obaje hails from Ajaka village in Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria. He attended Barewa College in Zaria, graduating in 1979, and proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University, where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Geology in 1984. He furthered his studies at the same university, earning a Master’s degree in 1987, before moving to the University of Tuebingen in Germany, where he completed his Ph.D. in 1994.

Academic, Professional Career and Awards

Prof. Obaje’s career spans academic, research, and advisory roles in both Nigerian and international institutions. As the pioneer head of the NNPC professorial chair at IBBUL, he has focused on promoting petroleum and mineral research across Nigeria’s sedimentary basins, including the Sokoto and Bida Basins. Prof. Obaje's work aims to strengthen the understanding of Nigeria’s geological potential and support sustainable development in the energy sector.

He has received numerous awards for his contributions to geoscience, including prestigious postdoctoral fellowships. In 1997, he was awarded a Royal Society of London (RSL) fellowship in petroleum geochemistry at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, followed by a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) fellowship in biostratigraphy at the University of Tuebingen in 1998. Additionally, he was a recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship in organic geochemistry at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources in Germany and served as a Senior Research Fellow of the Alfried Krupp Foundation.

Publications and Research

Prof. Obaje is an accomplished researcher, with a notable publication record in geology and hydrocarbon exploration. His influential book, Geology and Mineral Resources of Nigeria (Springer, 2009), is a key reference in the field. His research papers cover topics such as hydrocarbon potential in Nigeria's basins, coal petrography, organic geochemistry, and sedimentary basin analysis, which have contributed significantly to Nigeria's understanding of its natural resource potential. His studies include key insights into Nigeria’s inland basins, such as the Benue Trough, Bida Basin, and Gongola Basin.

Throughout his career, Prof. Obaje has been recognized for his commitment to advancing geoscience. His role as an assessor for the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) underscores his expertise and influence in guiding petroleum research funding in Nigeria.

Prof. Nuhu George Obaje remains a vital figure in Nigerian geology, known for his contributions to both academic and applied geoscience, with a lasting impact on the understanding and utilization of Nigeria's geological resources.