A Professor of Geophysics, University of Lagos, Lukumon Adeoti, has called for the integration of geophysics into the subsoil investigation, saying it will prevent building collapses.
Adeoti said this while giving his inaugural lecture, titled, ‘Geophysicist and human survival,’ at the University of Lagos 2024 Lecture series.
He added that it was practiced in advanced countries and some developing countries to be reinforced to avoid build collapse, and road failure.
Adeoti defined Geophysics as the application of the principles of physics or physical principles to studies of the Earth and Geophysicist as a scientist who studies the physical properties of the earth or applies physical measurements to geologic problems: a specialist in geophysics.
While giving solutions to the challenges beneath the earth’s surface, Adeoti said that the
a traditional geotechnical investigation was a point source method while the geophysical method covered the lateral and vertical extend of the subsurface, adding that geophysical approach saved time, energy, and money.
He said, “Thus, the combination of geophysical and geotechnical methods would illuminate the subsurface better than the traditional geotechnical approach. It is therefore recommended that the integration of geophysical and geotechnical methods for high fidelity representation of subsurface information should be made mandatory to all professionals and contractors by all relevant agencies at Local, State and Federal levels.
“The gown, University lecturers and town, professionals outside the University should be encouraged to work harmoniously towards the development of the society. This is eluding us in our society which I consider to be reviewed for the betterment of all of us. This synergy could be more appropriate in the oil and gas sector because some of the abandoned fields could still be revisited by some researchers in Petroleum Geophysics or related disciplines in our various Universities especially University of Lagos for further technical interrogation through the engagement of the research students. This would encourage active research activities due to provision of funds by the town and de-emphasise capital flight that is reducing dollars sent to the foreign research institutes or Universities outside Nigeria.”
Other recommendations in Adeoti’s lecture were that Agricultural Geophysics would assist the professionals in Agriculture, farmers, investors in farming, identify fertile soils for optimum production.
“My recommendation is the government at all levels and private sector should fund research in the area of Agricultural Geophysics and other related fields for the wellbeing of the populace because food is one of the core demands for the human survival.
The alarming rate of insecurity in Nigeria is worrisome and needs to be nipped into the bud for the
protection of citizens and investors. That means all hand must be on deck to mitigate the security
challenges. Forensic Geophysics would play a major in this direction because it would assist to unravel
the dead bodies clandestinely buried in the subsurface by murders. This would further discourage killings.
It is therefore recommended that relevant agencies at Local, State and Federal levels and private sector should expose their personnel to training in the area of Forensic Geophysics,” he said.
He called for the promotion of mining sector as another source of revenue generation, saying there was a need to divest our economy to generate more revenue for the human and infrastructural development.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola added that “Professor Adeoti is a member of many professional associations, some of which are: the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, the Nigerian Environment Society, the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Association for Engineering Geology and Environment. and the Nigerian Institute of Oil and Gas Research.
“He is also a Reviewer to the Arabian Journal of Geosciences, British Journal of Applied Science and Technology, Journal of African Earth Sciences, Journal of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, and many more.
“Professor Adeoti is a well-rounded personality who enjoys playing Football and Table Tennis. He is happily married to Mrs. Kehinde Adeoti and blessed with children.”
