Nsikak E. Bassey and Agbo Peter
This work attempts to statistically analyze the patterns of research works presented as technical papers/abstracts under the umbrella of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) conferences over five years from 2008-2012, with the objective of recognizing both the major and minor patterns/trends and their significance. The total number of works analyzed was 697. The data sources were the NMGS books of abstracts. The research works are categorized into sixteen geoscientific subdisciplines, as well as twelve geological provinces of Nigeria. For various sub-disciplines covered the highest number of research works came from geophysics with 18.88%, followed by hydrogeology/hydrology 10.73%. The least were crystallography/mineralogy 1.43% and geochemistry/regional geology 0.72%. In the category of geological provinces the highest number came from the Niger Delta with 24.34%, followed by the southwest basement complex and northwest/central basement regions with 19.46% and 18.08% respectively. The least number of works came from the northeast basement (Hawal Massif) 0.68% and Sokoto Basin 0.17%. Multiply authored works had majority of 324, followed by double authorship with 252, and singly authored works with120. Factor identified to have contributed to the high or low volume of research in the various subdisciplines and geologic provinces include the country’s level of technological development, level of economic activities in a region, concentration of geosciences/mining departments or institutions in particular areas, versatility of some sub-disciplines than others, etc. It is hoped that this research findings would assist our geoscience professionals and policy makers in the extractive industry to extend attention to all areas in order to stimulate research and fast track growth of the extractive industry. This will generate job opportunities for our young geoscience and mining graduates.
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