The Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Physical and Earth Sciences, University of Lagos (UNILAG), upped the ante of academia-industry collaboration with the maiden edition of its Town and Gown Lecture Series 1.0., a three-day high-level academic and industry engagement.
Themed: Overview of the Geosciences,the workshop event which ran from Monday, November 24 to Wednesday, November 26, 2025, brought together faculty members, students and experts from TotalEnergies for an intensive learning experience.
Held at Lecture Theatre 018, the workshop-style series aligned with the department’s vision to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry stakeholders while equipping students with real-world competencies, especially in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
Leadership Commitment to Capacity Building
Town and Gown Lecture Series 1.0 kicked off with remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Physical and Earth Sciences, Professor O. Asekun and Head of the Department of Geosciences, Prof. L. Adeoti.
In her message, Professor Asekun commended the department for the forward-thinking initiative, describing the Town-Gown series as “a critical pathway to producing graduates who can lead Africa’s participation in the global transition to sustainable energy.”
The Head of Department had words of appreciation for TotalEnergies for generously funding the 3-day event and availing the University with the immense benefits of their globally renowned expertise. He encouraged the students to seize the opportunity to gain career development insights and network smartly.
Industry Meets Academia
Nine facilitators from Nigeria and abroad: specialists in geology, geophysics, sedimentology, reservoir engineering, machine learning and petroleum exploration, delivered a range of technical sessions.
Among the speakers were: Momodu Ogwocho (Sedimentologist), Evans Owah (Geophysicist), Dr. Enrico Pernarcic (Petrophysicist), Andrea Lopez (Geologist), Camille Le Magaroau (Geophysicist), Mohammad Reza Eskandari (Reservoir Engineer), Dr. Rasaki Salami (Geophysicist), Dr. Sunday Amoyedo (Geophysicist), and Maria Jose Castano Sanchez (Geologist).
The sessions covered core subjects that bridge classroom knowledge with industry-grade applications, including seismic interpretation, reservoir monitoring, geological modelling, clastic sedimentology, dynamic field development, and the growing application of machine learning and data science in subsurface exploration.
A Structured Learning Experience
Each day followed a thematic progression, featuring topics like Clastic sedimentology, Seismic characterisation, Petrophysics, Geological modelling, Reservoir monitoring, Dynamic modelling, Machine Learning and Data Science in Geosciences.
Students described the experience as immersive, practical, and a bridge between theoretical learning and industrial workflow.
Looking Ahead
With the successful rollout of Town-Gown Lecture Series 1.0, the Department of Geosciences has reinforced the culture of industry-driven learning experiences at the University of Lagos.
Participants departed with new knowledge, practical exposure, and renewed enthusiasm for the evolving world of earth and energy sciences. As one student excitedly put it, “For many of us, this wasn’t just a lecture; it was a glimpse into the future we want to build.”
Report: Isaiah Kumuyi
Photography: Tobi Gisanri (Student Volunteer)
