Dr. Abubakar Maunde
Modibbo Adam University, Yola
Spring 2024
Dr. Abubakar Maunde is a Faculty member in the Department of Geology at Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola. A Fall 2022 MIT-ETT Fellow, he is a geoscientist whose work bridges the gap between deep-earth exploration and surface resource management. He specializes in Hydrogeophysics and Seismic Interpretation, applying techniques often reserved for oil exploration to locate critical groundwater aquifers in arid regions. His research focuses on “Structural Restoration” and the mapping of complex geological terrains. He has conducted extensive studies on the Niger Delta Basin, investigating how “Thrust Anticlines” and fault growths develop over varying timescales. This work is vital for understanding both hydrocarbon reservoirs and the structural integrity of the earth for civil engineering projects. Locally in Yola, he leads innovative efforts to map groundwater in difficult basement terrains using geophysical surveys, directly addressing water scarcity in the region. Dr. Maunde holds a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences. His fellowship at MIT influenced his transition toward “Field-Based Problem Solving.” He has moved his curriculum away from abstract geological theory, instead taking students into the field to conduct real-time resistivity surveys. He is an active contributor to the Journal of Geology and Mining Research and collaborates with international peers on understanding the tectonic evolution of the Benue Trough. His goal is to train a new generation of earth scientists who can use modern technology to manage Nigeria’s mineral and water resources sustainably.
