Nigeria at verge of losing geological heritage, Cameroonian geoscientist raises alarm
A renowned Cameroonian geoscientist, Prof. Felix Toteu at the weekend raised the alarm that years of neglect and weak protection frameworks were putting Nigeria’s geodiversity at risk. The country, he
A renowned Cameroonian geoscientist, Prof. Felix Toteu at the weekend raised the alarm that years of neglect and weak protection frameworks were putting Nigeria's geodiversity at risk.
The country, he said, continues to sit on vast but underutilised geological assets capable of boosting tourism, education and economic growth.
He made this known in his lecture at Abuja as the Nigerian Association Petroleum of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) celebrated Prof. Omar Rahaman's 80th birthday anniversary.
His lecture was titled 'Geodiversity: The Foundation of Our Heritage.'
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According to him, Nigeria's poor representation on UNESCO's World Heritage list, particularly in geological sites, underscores a major gap in recognising and protecting the country's natural endowments.
Despite its rich landscape of rock formations, mineral resources, fossils and unique landforms, Nigeria has only a few recognised heritage sites, with just one partly acknowledged for its geological significance.
He said: “This shows how much we are missing as a country. Geodiversity is the foundation upon which biodiversity and human development are built, yet it remains largely ignored.”
Toteu explained that while biodiversity benefits from global conventions and legal backing, geodiversity lacks a dedicated international protection framework, leaving countries like Nigeria to rely mainly on weak or inconsistent national policies.
According to him, for any site to attain global recognition as a World Heritage Site, it must demonstrate “outstanding universal value” that goes beyond national importance and must also be under permanent protection conditions, many Nigerian sites currently do not meet.
Toteu warned that unchecked mining, environmental degradation, deforestation and poor land-use practises were threatening Nigeria's geological heritage.
“We are exploiting resources without preserving the history and processes that created them. If we continue like this, we risk losing both our natural identity and future opportunities.”
He stressed that geodiversity predates and sustains biodiversity, noting that Nigeria's geological formations hold critical records of Earth's history, some dating back billions of years.
Toteu, however, lamented that much of this history remains undocumented or poorly preserved, limiting research, education and global recognition.
The expert called for urgent government action, including the development of strong legal frameworks, designation of geoparks, and increased investment in geological mapping and conservation.
He also urged authorities to leverage geotourism as a tool for economic diversification, especially as Nigeria seeks alternatives to oil revenue.
“Nigeria has the potential to become a major destination for geotourism in Africa, but that requires deliberate policy and protection."
Toteu further paid tribute to Prof. Rahaman, describing him as one of the pioneers of geological mapping in Nigeria whose work laid the foundation for understanding the country's Precambrian geology.
He emphasised the need to support young scientists and strengthen institutions to sustain such legacy.
“Our heritage is not only cultural or biological. The ground beneath us tells a story, one we must protect, study and use responsibly,” he added.
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), also hailed Professor Omar Moruf Rahaman as a pivotal architect of Nigeria's human capital development in the energy sector, declaring that his legacy continues to power the nation's oil, gas and broader energy industries.
Speaking at the lecture Executive Secretary PTDF, Prof. Shuaibu Aliyu, said the octogenarian scholar played a foundational role in shaping some of the Fund's most impactful programmes.
Aliyu, who was represented by the Deputy General Manager, Audit Division, Mr Steve Agboyinu, said Rahaman was among the architects of the PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme, describing it as a flagship initiative that has produced generations of highly skilled professionals serving Nigeria's energy sector.
“Professor Rahaman's contributions to academia and national development stand as a powerful testament to the transformative role of education. Over the decades, he has shaped minds, influenced institutions, and contributed meaningfully to the development of Nigeria's energy sector."
The PTDF boss noted that Rahaman coordinated the aptitude examinations used in selecting beneficiaries for the overseas scholarship scheme for nine years in selected universities in the United Kingdom, helping to entrench a process that was “credible, transparent and merit-driven.”
He added that the professor has also remained a key figure in the Fund's in-country postgraduate scholarship scheme, serving on selection panels for years, including the Southwest regional exercise in Ibadan in 2004.
Beyond scholarships, Aliyu highlighted Rahaman's role in strengthening university infrastructure and curriculum development, particularly at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he facilitated the establishment of five specialised professional master's programmes.
The programmes: Petroleum Geosciences, Petroleum Geophysics, Petroleum Geochemistry, Mineral Exploration, and Groundwater and Environmental Geosciences, were developed with support from PTDF, industry players and government agencies.
“These initiatives reflect not only vision, but a practical commitment to building local capacity and strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable development,” he said.
Aliyu described the lecture theme, “Celebrating Excellence at 80,” as a reflection of Rahaman's enduring relevance, noting that excellence was defined not by age but by sustained impact and the ability to inspire generations.
“As we celebrate Professor Rahaman today, we are not only honouring a distinguished individual, but also a legacy of excellence, integrity and service,” he added.
The event drew academics, industry stakeholders and policymakers, who gathered to reflect on Rahaman's decades-long contributions to education, mentorship and national development.
