The University of Ilorin, one of Nigeria's most sought-after universities, has celebrated another milestone with the graduation of Dr Serah Japhet Habu as the first female doctorate degree holder in Petroleum Engineering from Northern Nigeria (comprising 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory).

Dr Habu, who completed her PhD programme in October 2024 at the Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences, was supervised by Prof. Olabisi Adeleye Adekeye, the former Head of the Department. Her research focused on energy geoscience, petroleum exploration, and remote sensing, positioning her as an emerging leader in the field.

Born on 10 June 1984 in Gombe State, Dr Habu developed a passion for science early in life. She earned a National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology from the University of Jos in 2006 and later a B.Sc. in Chemical Petroleum Technology from the same institution in 2011.

Dr Habu advanced her education to M. Sc. degree in Stratigraphy and Sedimentology at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2018 in the course of which she conducted a penetrating research on the stratigraphy and structures of Aptian-Albian succession around Kaltungo Inlier in the Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria.

Her experience laid the foundation for her doctorate programme at the University of Ilorin during which she developed an innovative GIS-based hydrocarbon prospectivity mapping method for the Bida Basin, Central Nigeria as ably supervised by Prof. Adekeye.

Dr Habu's doctoral research, which was published in the Arabian Journal of Geosciences, was one of Nigeria's first comprehensive GIS-based hydrocarbon studies in the in-land basins as it offers critical insights into future hydrocarbon exploration and energy development.

Dr Habu is currently a Research Geoscientist at the National Centre for Remote Sensing (NSRS) Jos, Plateau State, under the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

She applied satellite image processing and spatial analysis to geological and environmental projects such as geothermal resource assessments, hydrocarbon exploration, and coal deposit mapping.

Dr Habu's expertise has earned her several prestigious awards, such as the 2023 NMGS President's Young Geoscientist Miner's Award and the 2024 NMGS President's Award.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole,SAN, has congratulated Dr Habu on her achievement.

In a statement, the University's Spokesperson, Mr Kunle Akogun, said that Dr Habu's journey exemplifies resilience, innovation, and leadership, which position her as a key figure in shaping the future of geoscience practices in Nigeria.

While congratulating the Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences for its efficient service delivery, the Vice Chancellor asssured everyone that the University is prepared to turnout more outstanding graduates as it possesses both the human and material resources to do so.