KWASU, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency Sign MoU On Mineral Exploration Research

Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete, and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a project that will combine geophysical techniques, geological expertise, and artificial intelligence to make mineral exploration more accurate, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.

The signing of the MoU for the project titled "Integration of Geophysics, Geology, and Artificial Intelligence for Mineral Exploration in Southeastern Kwara State, Nigeria," took place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the NGSA office in Abuja.

The Director General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, Professor Olusegun Ige, and the Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, signed the agreement on behalf of the partnering institutions.

At the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of KWASU, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, described the collaboration as strengthening Nigeria's capacity to identify mineral resources while reducing exploration risks and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

"This collaboration brings together the complementary strengths of our two institutions. The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency contributes decades of technical expertise, geological data and national leadership in mineral resource assessment, while Kwara State University, Malete, provides a vibrant academic environment, multidisciplinary research expertise and innovative solutions driven by science and technology. Together, we are demonstrating the power of collaboration between government and academia in addressing national challenges," the Vice-Chancellor noted.

"We are particularly delighted that Kwara State has been chosen as the pilot study area for this project. The state is richly endowed with mineral resources and possesses extensive geological and geophysical datasets that provide an excellent foundation for developing predictive models that can support sustainable mineral exploration across Nigeria.

"The benefits of this partnership extend far beyond research. It will promote interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen teaching and learning, equip students and researchers with practical skills in artificial intelligence and geospatial technologies, attract research funding, and create stronger links between academia, government, and industry. Ultimately, it will contribute to responsible mining, job creation, and Nigeria's economic diversification agenda," Professor Jimoh stressed.

The KWASU VC commended the immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Dr. Abdulrasaq Garba, and the current Director-General, Professor Olusegun Omoniyi Ige, whose leadership, he noted, continues to advance geoscience development in Nigeria.

With this partnership, KWASU will collaborate with the NGSA on specialized technical expertise in the fields of geophysics, geology, remote sensing and GIS, geochemistry, and Artificial Intelligence/Data Analytics.

The two institutions will design and develop AI-based algorithms, advanced data integration models, and processing frameworks for automated geoscientific anomaly detection and mineral targeting.

Through the coordination of KWASU's Centre for Research and Development, Dr. Gabriel Omolaiye of the Department of Geology and Mineral Science will lead other researchers from the Department of Physics and Material Sciences in the execution of the project.

On the team of the Vice-Chancellor were the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Emmanuel Ajani; the Director of Research and Development, Professor Abdul Kabir Hussain Solihu; the lead researcher, Dr. Gabriel Efomeh Omolaiye; and the Head of the Department of Physics and Materials Science, Dr. Godwin Egbeyale.