A young Nigerian woman named Serah Habu has made history as the first woman to earn a doctorate degree in Petroleum Geology in Northern Nigeria.
She earned her PhD from the Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences at University of Ilorin, marking a major milestone in the field of geoscience and energy research in Nigeria.
Her achievement reflects excellence, resilience, and dedication to advancing petroleum geology and energy exploration.
Serah's Story and How She Did It
Serah developed a passion for science from an early age. She began her academic journey at University of Jos, where she earned a National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology in 2006.
She later continued at the same institution and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Petroleum Technology in 2011.
Driven by her passion for geology and energy research, Serah proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University, where she earned a Master of Science degree in Stratigraphy and Sedimentology in 2018.
During her master’s programme, she conducted detailed research on the stratigraphy and structures of Aptian-Albian succession around the Kaltungo Inlier in the Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria.
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Her research experience during the masters program laid the foundation for her doctoral studies at University of Ilorin, where she developed an innovative GIS-based hydrocarbon prospectivity mapping method for the Bida Basin in Central Nigeria.
Serah’s doctoral research, which was published in the Arabian Journal of Geosciences, became one of Nigeria’s first comprehensive GIS-based hydrocarbon studies focused on inland basins.
The study provided important insights into hydrocarbon exploration and future energy development in Nigeria.
Reflecting on her journey, Serah described the process as challenging but rewarding.
“It was not a smooth journey indeed from 2019–2023, but every step was worth it at last,” she shared on LinkedIn.
“Coming this far is a testimony of God’s grace, strength, and faithfulness. Through every challenge, setback, moment of doubt, the pain, the tears, the mental challenge, yet God remained faithful and He brought me this far. I don’t take this for granted,” she added.
Beyond academics, Serah currently works as a Research Geoscientist at the National Centre for Remote Sensing under the National Space Research and Development Agency.
Her work focuses on satellite image processing and spatial analysis for geological and environmental projects, including geothermal resource assessments, hydrocarbon exploration, and coal deposit mapping.
Seah’s expertise and contributions to geoscience have also earned her notable recognitions, including the 2023 NMGS President’s Young Geoscientist Miner’s Award and the 2024 NMGS President’s Award
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