…VC underscores inaugural lecture

A professor of Geophysics at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) Abia state , professor Magnus Uzoma Igboekwe has called for a detailed geophysical study of the place ( site ) before embarking on bore hole drilling in the site in search of portable groundwater, Oil and Gas, maintaining that the studies should also be done before the construction of roads, multi-storey Complexes and erosion control.

Professor Magnus Uzoma Igboekwe spoke while presenting the 74th Inaugural lecture of the university which topic was ” Geophysics: The Bedrock Of National Development”, defining Geophysics as “a science that applies the knowledge and principles of Physics to the study of the Earth ( usually the Earth’s subsurface ).

Beyond defining Geophysics, he discussed it’s importance, application, potentials among others, stating that in order to avoid contamination of portable water by leachate infiltration, landfill system of waste management should be employed by the government, warning that dumpsites should not be located near residential areas.

These were part of the seven (7) recommendations he listed in his inaugural lecture which he presented on Wednesday, 12, August, 2026

The Vice Chancellor ( VC ) professor Ursla Ngozi Akanwa who presided over the inaugural lecture session
held at Anyim Pius Anyim auditorium said that the Inaugural lecture was indeed an invitation to reflect on a profound relationship between scientific knowledge and national transformation.

The lecturer who said that his lecture focused on sub-headings that included the meaning of Geophysics, Physics of the Earth’s interior, geophysical surveying methods and his research contributions to knowledge, stated that the term Geophysics is a combination of ‘Geo’ (Earth) and Physics , the combo being the ” science of matter in relation to energy”.

According to professor Igboekwe, the subject of his lecture was to project to the world the role of Geophysics in the economic performance , human development and environmental sustainability of Nigeria, adding that to understand Geophysics properly, ” we need to understand the internal structure of the Earth and it’s workings, and slice open in our minds, the earth we are sitting on”.

He added that the interpretation of these data can help researchers to detect and delineate local and regional features that could be of economic interest , thereby boosting the national development of a developing country like Nigeria.

Advising Ceramic and related industries/ companies engaged in mining to explore the Kaoline at Ohiya in Umuahia South Council Abia State, and other opportunities for mineral exploration in the state in compliance with the guidelines of the appropriate regulatory agencies, the inaugural lecturer cited a Geothermal plant at Okorroba in Akamkpa Council of Cross River state , recommending for electricity generation there to support the national grid.

” This is because Okorroba has a Geothermal gradient of more than 5 MW/m2 which is a requirement for economic viability of such a plant.

He also highly recommended Carbon Sequestration in the Niger Delta with the installation of Carbon Capture and Storage as it improves environmental sustainability.

He also said that regional groundwater development projects can be established across the MOUAU Catchment area traversing Olokoro, Umudike and Umuohu area in Abia state , including at Uhuala Aku in Okigwe LGA, in Imo state , to reduce indiscriminate sinking of bore holes, and thus enable poor individuals who cannot afford to drill their own bore holes, to access potable drinking water using the regional ones.

To create the required innovation in the present knowledge of Geophysics, he further recommended a cutting-edge technologies and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI ).

In her remarks after the lecturer concluded his lecture, VC Akanwa stated that with Geophysics acquiring a critical position in understanding the earth and its resources, the applications of physical principles to the study of earth’s structure and processes, geophysics contributes to areas such as mineral exploration, groundwater assessment, environmental management, infrastructural development, energy security, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable resource management in
understanding the earth and its resources.

“For a country such as Nigeria that is blessed with substantial natural resources and confronted with the pressing need for sustainable economic development, the importance of geophysical knowledge cannot be overstated” VC Akanwa posited

For the effective exploration and management of our natural resources the VC said that doing so requires scientific evidence, technological competence, and reliable data, citing that Geophysics provides an important scientific foundation upon which most of these decisions can be taken.

“The effective exploration and management of our natural resources require scientific evidence, technological competence, and reliable data” and that Geophysics provides an important scientific foundation upon which most of these decisions can be taken.

She also stated that development cannot be sustained merely by the abundance of natural resources, positing that even if we have these natural resources , not knowing what to do with them would amount to our continuing to run around in circles.

Maintaining therefore that moving forward would depend substantially on our capacity to understand, explore, manage, and utilize those resources responsibly, VC Akanwa, emphasized that as a university, the MOUAU she leads would remain committed to advancing knowledge and applying it to the development of Nigeria’s agricultural and wider socio-economic landscape, recognizing the importance of multidisciplinary scholarship.

Also noting that the challenges confronting the nation do not respect disciplinary boundaries, she stated that food security, climate change, energy, environmental sustainability, infrastructure, and economic diversification require collaboration amongst scientists, engineers, agriculturists, social scientists, and other professionals.”