The Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) has accredited at least 19 universities in the country for the study of mining and geoscience related courses in an effort to professionalise and boost the competence of service providers in the Nigerian extractive industry.
The 19 academic institutions were said to have met the requirement following the visits of COMEG’s accreditation committee.
The institutions and their respective accredited courses are University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State (B.Sc Geology and B.Sc Geophysics); Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State (B.Sc Geology and B.Sc Geophysics) and Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State (B.Sc Geology).
Others are, Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomoso, Oyo State (B.Tech Applied Geology and B.Tech Applied Geophysics); Mountain Top University, Makogi Oba, Ogun State (B.Sc Geology & B.Sc Geophysics); Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State (B.Sc Applied Geophysics and B.Sc Geology); Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Ondo State (B.Eng Mining Engineering, B.Tech Marine Science & Technology, B. Tech Remote Sensing & Geoscience Information, B.Tech Applied Geology and B. Tech Applied Geophysics).
Also in the list include, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo Town, Oyo State (B.Sc Geology); Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu, Rivers State (B.Sc Geology); University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Enugu State (B.Sc Geology); Gregory University Uturu, Abia State (B.Sc Geology) and Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State (B.Sc Geology).
The rest are, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State (B.Sc Geology); Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State (B.Sc Geology); University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State (B.Sc Geology); University of Port-Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State (B.Sc Geology); Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State (B.Sc Geology & Mineral Science); Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State (HND Petroleum Engineering & Geosciences); and Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State (HND Geological Engineering, HND Mining Engineering and HND Mineral Resources Engineering).
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, the Registrar/CEO, COMEG, Prof. Zacheus Opafunso while congratulating the 19 institutions announced that Certificates of Accreditation will be presented to them on Monday, May 8, 2023 by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite.
Prof. Opafunso said the duty to offer accreditation to deserving institutions is in line with the core responsibilities of COMEG as enshrined in the Act establishing the Council.
“The Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) was established by Act CAP C33 LFN 2004 to register, regulate and control the training and practices of professionals in the Nigerian Extractive Industries,” he stated.
He enumerated the professionals to include geoscientists, mining engineers, petroleum engineers, metallurgists and others in the related professions.
“Part (VI), Section 17(1) of COMEG, Act Cap C33 LFN 2004, empowers COMEG to Regulate and Control the practice of professionals in the Nigeria Extractive Industry (Mining Engineers, Geoscientists, Mineral Processing Engineers, Metallurgists, etc) in all its aspects and ramifications,” the Registrar noted.
While announcing that the next accreditation exercise by COMEG will take place June/July 2023, he cautioned students and admission seekers against patronising non-accredited institutions, warning that only graduates from COMEG-accredited institutions will be registered as its members.
He encouraged the institutions to at all times maintain standard to enhance the quality of their students and prepare them to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the industry.
