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The Nigeria Association of Petroleum Exploration (NAPE) Abuja Chapter, has held a two-day workshopat Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai with the theme, “Hands-on Workshop on Well Log and Seismic Interpretation For Petroleum Exploration” with participants drawn from IBB University, Lapai and Federal University of Technology, Minna.
Declaring the workshop opened, the Vice Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, described the it as a timely intervention aimed at correcting the long-standing disconnect between academic training and industry practice in Nigeria’s petroleum and geoscience sector.
He noted that universities often operate in isolation, producing graduates who are academically sound but lack the practical exposure required to function effectively in the field.
According to him, Geology and Geophysics are disciplines rooted largely in field experience, yet students spend the majority of their training confined to classrooms.
He stressed that this imbalance weakens professional competence and leaves graduates unprepared for the realities of exploration, drilling, and resource management. To address this, he called for a deliberate shift toward field-oriented learning that allows students to gain hands-on experience before graduation.
The Vice Chancellor further emphasized the need to review and modernize existing curricula in line with global standards, urging universities to work closely with regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission and professional associations to redesign programmes that reflect emerging technologies and industry expectations. Such reforms, he explained, would ensure that graduates leave university not as job seekers but as professionals capable of creating employment and providing solutions to national challenges.
Professor Sulaiman also challenged Geoscience graduates to broaden their outlook beyond the petroleum industry, noting that opportunities exist in water resource development, environmental management, and mineral exploration.
He observed that Geologists possess the expertise to solve pressing issues such as water scarcity and should be proactive in offering practical solutions to government and communities rather than waiting for employment in oil companies.
The Vice Chancellor led participants in observing a minute of silence in honour of the late Professor Nuhu Obaje, whom he described as a visionary scholar whose efforts significantly strengthened Geological research and industry collaboration in Nigeria.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Head of the Department of Geology and Mining at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Dr. James Adewoyi, explained that the workshop was conceived in response to the evolving demands of the energy industry and the urgent need to improve students’ employability after graduation.
He noted that while university training provides a strong academic foundation, it is often not sufficient on its own to secure immediate placement in the highly competitive petroleum and energy sector.
Dr. Adewoyi stated that the Department resolved to organize the training to equip both undergraduate and postgraduate students with additional technical skills that align with industry expectations.
According to him, exposure to practical tools such as well logging and seismic interpretation would give students a competitive advantage and prepare them to transition smoothly from academic study into professional practice.
He further revealed that the workshop drew participants mainly from the host Institution and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, creating an opportunity for inter-university collaboration and shared learning. Such collaboration, he noted, is essential for strengthening geoscience training across institutions and ensuring that students benefit from a wider academic and professional network.
Speaking on expected outcomes, the Head of Department expressed confidence that participants would, at the end of the programme, be able to independently analyze exploration data, map prospects, and provide informed technical advice on hydrocarbon exploration decisions. He added that the training would enhance students’ analytical confidence and position them as skilled professionals capable of contributing meaningfully to the energy market within the next few years.
Dr. Adewoyi also commended the University Management, particularly the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, for their sustained support toward industry-oriented academic programmes. He acknowledged the presence and backing of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists leadership, including its President, Professor Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, noting that their involvement alongside other industry professionals observing virtually reflects growing confidence in the department’s efforts to align training with global petroleum exploration standards.
In her remarks, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, Miss Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, commended the University chapter for organizing a programme that aligns with the association’s mission of strengthening industry-ready training for students. She noted that initiatives such as the workshop demonstrate the association’s commitment to ensuring that future professionals acquire practical skills that complement theoretical knowledge.
She explained that the association is working with universities and stakeholders to integrate more practical courses into academic programmes while also designing specialised training opportunities for fresh graduates.
According to her, these efforts are aimed at producing competent professionals who can transition smoothly into industry roles and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Miss ajayi urged participants to take the training seriously, reminding them that the knowledge shared by industry experts represents real field experience that cannot be obtained from textbooks alone. She reaffirmed the association’s dedication to supporting universities with technical expertise, professional mentorship, and collaborative programmes that will strengthen petroleum education across the country.
In their separate practical sessions, industry professionals exposed participants to real-world applications of Geoscience tools used in petroleum exploration and reservoir evaluation.
A Geoscientist with NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Mr. Folohunsho O. Yusuf, delivered a session on seismic and well log interpretation, focusing on practical approaches to energy prospecting. He explained that the aim of the training was to narrow the gap between industry practice and academic learning by guiding students through the complete subsurface workflow from reconnaissance surveys to volumetric estimation.
According to him, the workshop was designed not to turn participants into instant technical experts but to spark curiosity and provide a solid foundation upon which they can build deeper professional competence in the future.
Also speaking, Mr. Solomon Omishakin, a Reservoir Geophysicist representing Chevron Nigeria Limited, highlighted the importance of integrating seismic data with well log information in understanding subsurface reservoirs. He noted that such knowledge forms a core skill for Geoscientists in hydrocarbon exploration and production, while also gaining relevance in emerging fields such as carbon capture and sequestration, where reservoir understanding is critical for safe carbon storage and environmental sustainability.
Mr. Omishakin added that the workshop was designed to be highly interactive, encouraging dialogue rather than passive classroom learning. He expressed optimism that participants would leave with a clearer grasp of subsurface analysis techniques and a foundational understanding that could be developed into advanced professional expertise relevant not only to Nigeria’s energy sector but to the global geoscience industry.
Highlight of the event was award presentation and practical session.