Dr. O.S. Afolayan (HOD Geography)
Dr. Olusola Samuel AFOLAYAN is a native of Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti West L.G.A of Ekiti State. He had his primary and secondary school education at St Stephen Primary School, Aramoko-Ekiti and A.U.D. Primary School, Erio-Ekiti. He attended Edu High School, Erio-Ekiti and District Commercial Secondary School, Aramoko Ekiti. He has N.C.E in Economic and Geography from Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Lagos (2004), B.Sc. Geography (Adekunle Ajasin University, 2008), M.Sc. Geography and Planning (Lagos State University, 2012), and Ph.D Geography (University of Ilorin, 2016). He is a physical geographer with specialization in biogeography, soil and quantitative techniques. He joined the service of the Nigerian Army University Biu in 2020 and was appointed as Head of Department of Geography on 5, March 2021.
Introduction
This is the brief of the Department of Geography. This edition has captured only the programme of the Department at Undergraduate level which in subsequent years will cover both Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. This edition reviews the courses and their contents and introduction of the necessary courses. Geography is a cardinal programme that exposes students to the science of spatial attributes of the earth’s physical and human environments. All the branches of Geography interface with natural Science and provide information on dynamics of the physical and human environments.
Geographers are trained to find solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change, pollution, energy, loss of biodiversity and lack of food and clean water. Students of Geography would therefore learn about the physical environment of the earth, human activities and their interactive relationships during the four year B.Sc Geography programme, in the Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences. The department is expected to train students for the award of Bachelor of Science Degree (B. Sc. Hons) in Geography
Brief History
Department of Geography, Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) is one of the foundation academic programs of the faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences when it was first established in October 2018. The same year NAUB took off with its academic programs. The department took off with five academics and non-academic staff. The Department admitted a total of 21 students into the 100 level B.Sc. Geography program in 2018/2019. Since then, the population of the department increase steadily with the admission of 43 students in 2019/2020, 32 students in 2020/2021 and 10 students in 2021/2022. As at now, the department is having a total number of 74 students as follows 100 (22) 200 (10) 300 (24) and 400 (18) levels. The Department is expected to graduate its first set of B.Sc. Geography students at the end of the 2022/2023 academic year.
At present the department has a total number of Eight (8) Academic Staff and Two (2) Non-Teaching Staff (2) out of which two (2) are on visiting. The Department of Geography has at various times been under the leadership of the following scholars: Prof. U.M. Maryah was the pioneer Head of Department (29 January, 2018 -18 November, 2019), followed by Capt BJ Ananya (18 November, 2019 – 4 March, 2020), Brig Gen AW Butu (4 March, 2020-5 March, 2021) and Dr. O.S. Afolayan (5 March, 2021- till date).
Philosophy
The Programme is guided by the philosophy of training of students to the highest academic standard in the identification and resolution of environmental issues. The Programme will develop skilled manpower, trained in environmental surveillance, monitoring and management for innovative and dynamic ideas towards identifying and solving environmental problems and ensuring sustainable development.
Vision
The vision of the Programme is to become internationally recognized in developing and producing well-trained professional Geographers and Environmental managers who will effectively contribute to the development process in the different fields of Geography. Students are trained to become proficient in the field of research and service sectors of the economy. This is achieved through intensive field exercise and laboratory works.
Mission
Our mission is to train geography students so that they will clearly understand the perspectives of the physical and human environment from a global position and also have an in-depth knowledge of the implications of environmental dynamics on the communities in which we live.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of the undergraduate course structure is to teach a flexible composition of courses which will enable the student to complete an eventually broad-based degree while sat the same time allowing the student to acquire some amount of specialization and techniques in one or more fields. The Programme aims to equip for employment and sustainable development. The candidate with the results that are required. Thus all Geography courses are compulsory at levels 100 to 300 for all students. At the 400 level, some courses are core and others are optional electives to reflect student’s interests and specializations.
Objectives of the B.Sc. Geography Programme
To expose students to broad-based understanding of physical and human landscapes, and enable career development for effective involvement in the development process.
To expose students to the understanding of global environmental dynamics and its implications to the local environment with a view to making them environmentally conscious.
To prepare students to face the challenges of national development through the application of refined knowledge, skills and solution driven innovations rather than job seekers.
To encourage the appreciation of the importance of Geography in industry, national economy, environment, social and technological development.
Admission Requirements
UTME Admission
The admission into Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) programme is through the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the University administered Post-UTME screening. To be eligible for admission, candidates are expected to obtain a minimum of five (5) credit passes in the following subjects, English Language, Mathematics, Geography and any two social science subjects. And any two of Chemistry, Physics, either Biology or Agricultural Science at not more than two sittings in the West African Examination (WASSCE)/National Examination Council (NECO)/General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O/L)/National Board for Technical and Business (NABTEB) O/ Level or their equivalent. UTME Subjects: English Language, Geography and any two of Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Agricultural Sciences
Direct Entry (DE)
In addition to the O/L requirements, candidates may be admitted to 200 level if they have:
National Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning; Town Planning; Geoinformatics/Land Surveying, Estate Management at upper credit pass; or
Credit passes at GCE (Advanced Level) or its equivalent in at least three (3) subjects including Geography and any two of Economics, Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Chemistry.
NCE in any of the following subject combinations: Geography/Biology; Geography/Physics;Geography/Mathematics;Geography/Chemistry;Geography/Computer Science at credit level.