Department of

Soil Science

Dr. Uduak Itakufok

Head of Department

Welcome Note

The Department of Soil Science at Akwa Ibom State University plays a central role in training professionals who understand the soil as a living, dynamic resource essential to sustainable agriculture and environmental balance. Our mission is to develop graduates with the scientific, technical, and analytical capacity to manage soils for optimum productivity, ecosystem health, and long-term food security.

Through our B.Agric, PGD, M.Sc., and Ph.D. programmes, we provide comprehensive instruction that integrates classroom teaching, field studies, and laboratory analysis. Students gain practical exposure in areas such as soil fertility and nutrient management, land evaluation, soil-water relationships, environmental pollution control, and the application of geospatial tools in soil resource mapping.

Our faculty comprises passionate lecturers and researchers who are actively engaged in solving local agricultural problems spanning acid soil remediation in Akwa Ibom State to improving organic matter management for smallholder farmers. Research outputs from the Department contribute to sustainable land use planning, climate-smart agriculture, and environmental conservation across the Niger Delta and beyond.

The Department also collaborates closely with the Faculty of Agriculture’s teaching and research farm, local agricultural agencies, and rural communities, ensuring that our research and training directly benefit farmers and policymakers. We take pride in producing graduates who not only understand soil science but can apply it to improve livelihoods and environmental resilience.

On behalf of the staff and students, I warmly welcome you to the Department of Soil Science webpage. Here, you will find updates on our programmes, research breakthroughs, and outreach activities that reflect our commitment to science-driven agricultural development. We invite you to connect with our academic community whether as a student, collaborator, or stakeholder and to join us in our pursuit of productive soils, sustainable environments, and a food secure future.

Philosophy

As a coastal state with extensive coastal line and abundant fisheries resources and access to the sea, there is compelling need to train high-level manpower in the fisheries discipline who will manage the enormous aquatic resources of the state. The undergraduate program, which is broad-based, is in line with the National Universities Commission (NUC) Minimum Benchmark Standard to incorporate knowledge from diverse fields using modern methods of teaching and research relevant to the local communities, the state, and the country to ensure sustainability of fisheries resources for future generations. The general courses will help the students to have a broad outlook on current local and international problems in fisheries and be effectively mobilized for increased fisheries productivity within the Kashmir area and yonder.

Vision

Ever since our program was founded, its vision has been to establish itself as one of the world-class in training and research among the top-leading stronghold institutions in fisheries, by producing adequate graduates, flamed with knowledge and technical expertise, and meeting the needs of national development in fisheries, employers of labour, self-employment, the environment, and the social needs of the regions where they operate.

Mission

To save as a department, committed to the production of high-quality graduates and researchers in fisheries and aquaculture technology, for the socio-economic development, environmental, and entrepreneurship skill, for obligation and communal development, and also to promote propagation, exchange, and dissemination of knowledge for the increased fisheries production of the state and nation at large.

Objective

A graduate of the program is trained to accomplish the following:

i. Engage in production and research that will be able to provide relevant and appropriate solutions related to the fisheries sub-sector and generally help to improve productivity in agriculture.

ii. Gain employment in government establishments as fisheries development officer, fisheries resource managers anywhere in Nigeria, including fishing companies and beyond in any aspect of agriculture.

iii. To produce graduates geared towards self-employment by establishing and operating their own fishing and aquaculture enterprises.

iv. Be able to work in universities, research and other tertiary institutions and oil companies.

v. To produce graduates with sufficient technical, productive and entrepreneurship skills who will be involved in the production, research and entrepreneurship in any aspect of agriculture and other related disciplines.

vi. To produce graduates that are relevant to themselves, the industry, society and who can contribute effectively to national development goals in agriculture.

vii. Contribute to the national policy of self-sufficiency in food production.

viii. To conduct results-oriented fish-based and aquaculture research related to the needs of large and small-scale fishers and aquaculturists, having in mind to solving their problems. As well as generating new innovations and technologies.

Academic Programmes

AKSU offers the following programmes through this Department:

Bachelor of Science (B.Fisheries) in Fisheries and Aquaculture
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Fisheries and Aquaculture
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Fisheries and Aquaculture with specialization options including:
- Agribusiness Management
- Food Marketing & International Trade
- Farm Management & Production Economics
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Fisheries and Aquaculture with specialization options including:
- Consumer Welfare & Food Economics
- Agribusiness Management
- Food Marketing & International Trade
- Farm Management & Production Economics
- Resource & Environmental Economics
- Project Planning & Appraisal
- Agricultural Cooperatives
- Agricultural Financial Management

Admission Requirement

🎓Undergraduate Studies

University Requirements

a.) Admission through JAMB and Post UTME

i. Admission into Akwa Ibom State University shall be through Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) OR Direct Entry. In addition to attaining, the general required standard in UTME, candidates must satisfy the general university requirement as well as the specific Faculty and Programs requirement. All Admissions shall be through JAMB.

ii. The candidate must be over 16 years of age by 1st October in the year of admission.

iii. Candidates must possess at least 5 credit passes in relevant subjects ( Biology /Agricultural Science/ Fisheries and Aquaculture, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and a credit pass in English language. Credit passes in Economics and Geography will be added advantages.) at GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents at not more than 2 sittings.

iv. Subjects to be offered at the University Matriculation Examination (UME) should include English Language, Biology/Agricultural Science/Fisheries and Aquaculture, Chemistry and any other science subject.

iv. Satisfactory performance in the University Matriculation Examination.

v. Satisfactory performance in the Post-UTME screening exercise conducted by the University.

b.) Admission by Direct Entry

Candidate seeking admission into the university by direct entry should possess, in addition to the above, one of the following:

i. In addition to 6.1 (i) above, candidates should have at least two A-level passes or their equivalents in any of Biology, Botany, Agricultural Science, Zoology, Mathematics, Strength, Statistics, Physics, Economics, and Geography.

ii. In addition to 6.1 (i) above, candidates should have OND or ND (Upper Credit)/HND (lower credit)/NCE (Credits in relevant subject(s) in Fisheries/Aquaculture, Marine Biology/Science, Biology/Agricultural Science, Wildlife Management, Animal Health and Husbandry. Veterinary Science, Food-Science, Biology-Education, Agricultural Science-Education, and any other closely related discipline are also considered.

iii. Satisfactory performance in the direct entry screening exercise conducted by the university.

iv. In addition to (i) above, candidates with HND (not less than lower credits) in Fisheries/Aquaculture, Marine Biology/Science, Biology/Agricultural Science, Wildlife Management, Animal Health and Husbandry. Veterinary-Science, Food-Science, Biology-Education, Agricultural Science-Education, and any other closely related discipline may be admitted into Year 2 of the 5-year program and may be exempted from the SIWES practical training.

v. Admission requirements are subject to review from time to time and open to both Nigerians and Non-Nigerians.

Other Admission Requirements

i. A pass in general paper at HSC or approved equivalents would not be accepted as a substitute for a credit pass in English Language at GCE O/L, WASCE, SSCE, NECO or approved equivalents.

ii. Interviews may be conducted as a component of the admission process in addition to UTME or Direct Entry by JAMB.

iii. Specific Faculty/Departmental Requirements will be stipulated in addition to the general University entry requirements.

Transfer Admission

Candidates with adequate qualifications who wish to transfer from other universities to the Department of Crop Science shall be admitted into either Year II or Year II depending on their qualifications and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) as approved by the University. Such candidates must submit an official transcript from their former Universities. There is no admission beyond Year II.

🎓🎓Postgraduate Studies

Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)

🔸SSCE with 5 credits including English and Mathematics (in not more than 2 sittings)

🔸One of:

HND in Agriculture with Lower Credit
Third Class Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or related science
HND Pass with six years of cognate experience.

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

🔸SSCE with credits as above

🔸One of:

Bachelor’s Degree (minimum of Second Class Lower) in Agriculture or science-related discipline
HND Upper Credit plus PGD at Distinction level.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

🔸SSCE with credits as above

🔸One of:

Master's Degree (minimum of Second Class Lower) in Agriculture or science-related discipline

Departmental Activities & Research

CONTENTS NEEDED (E.g. The Department publishes the open-access journal AKSUJAEERD (Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension & Rural Development), featuring peer‑reviewed research on topics like e‑readiness of extension personnel, broiler production economics, and more.)

Facilities & Experiential Learning

CONTENT NEEDED (Example:

🔸 University Teaching & Research Farm (23 ha): hosts demonstrations on conservation tillage, integrated pest management and micro‑irrigation.

🔸 ICT Hub: broadband‑enabled labs support remote diagnostics and data analytics for extension surveys.)

Career Pathways

🌍 Soil Resource Management & Land Use Planning

Soil surveyor or land evaluation officer in government or private agencies
Land use planner and soil conservation specialist
Soil fertility and nutrient management consultant
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) officer
Land reclamation and rehabilitation expert (especially for oil-spill or mining-affected areas)

🧪 Soil Laboratory & Analytical Services

Soil and water laboratory technologist or analyst
Soil testing and diagnostic consultant for farms or agribusinesses
Laboratory officer in research institutes, universities, or agrochemical companies
Quality control and assurance officer in fertilizer production industries
Soil microbiologist or biochemist (with further specialization)

🌾 Agricultural Production & Farm Management

Farm manager with specialization in soil fertility and irrigation management
Agronomist or crop production advisor focusing on soil improvement techniques
Irrigation and drainage systems supervisor
Precision agriculture specialist (using GIS, GPS, and remote sensing for soil monitoring)
Organic and regenerative agriculture consultant

🌱 Fertilizer & Agro-Input Industry

Fertilizer formulation and blending officer
Field agronomist or product development specialist for agro-input companies
Marketing and technical support officer for soil amendments and biofertilizers
Composting and organic manure production entrepreneur
Consultant in soil nutrient recycling and sustainable fertilizer use

👩🏽‍🌾 Agricultural Extension & Community Development

Soil fertility extension officer or adviser under Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs)
Rural resource management and land-use planning facilitator
NGO or donor agency field officer (in sustainable land management projects)
Community-based soil conservation and watershed management trainer
Capacity-building and farmer education coordinator

🎓 Education, Research & Academia

Lecturer or researcher in soil science, agronomy, or environmental management (with postgraduate qualification)
Research scientist in universities or research institutes (e.g., NIHORT, IITA, NCRI, LCRI)
Research assistant in soil fertility, soil physics, or pedology projects
Consultant or policy researcher in sustainable land management and climate adaptation
Soil data and mapping specialist for agricultural planning units

💼 Entrepreneurship & Consultancy

Founder of soil testing and advisory service enterprise
Consultant in land evaluation, irrigation design, or environmental monitoring
Developer of eco-friendly soil conditioners or organic fertilizer brands
Private contractor in land reclamation or erosion control projects
Trainer and resource person in climate-smart agriculture programmes

🏛️ Government & Regulatory Agencies

Officer in Federal or State Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, or Natural Resources
Soil and land resource inspector in agencies like NAQS, SON, or NESREA
Environmental protection and monitoring officer
Policy analyst or advisor on sustainable soil and land resource use
Officer in land and water management divisions of international development agencies

🌦️ Specialized & Emerging Fields

Climate change and carbon sequestration specialist
Soil data analyst (remote sensing and GIS applications)
Environmental remediation and pollution control expert
Soil-water-plant interaction researcher
Geo-environmental consultant or sustainability scientist

Staff

🎓Academic Staff

🔸 Prof. Trenchard O. Ibia

🔸 Prof. Ebong T. Eshett

🔸 Dr. Bassey T. Udoh

🔸 Dr. (Mrs.) Florence O. Umoh

🔸 Dr. Christiana J. Ijah

🔸 Dr. Okon E. Udoh

🔸 Dr. Itakufok G. Uduak

🔸 Dr. Ndarake E. Etukudoh

🔸 Mr. Ubong J. Ekong

🔸 Dr. (Mrs.) Otobong A. Essien

🔸 Mrs. Dokwo E. Bassey

🔸 Mr. Itoro D. J. Udoumoh

🗃️Administrative Staff

🛠️Technical Staff

👉 View Staff Details

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