NASENI Director Olusunle Honored as Fellow of Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society

Maryam Aminu

In a momentous recognition of his contributions to the mining and geosciences sector, Engr. Dr. Samuel Olugbenga O. Olusunle, a Research Director at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has been conferred with the prestigious Fellow of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS).

This honor places him among the elite professionals in Nigeria’s mining and geosciences landscape.

The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), one of the oldest professional bodies in Nigeria, concluded its 60th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE) on February 19, 2025, at the Chida International Hotel, Abuja. The event, marking the society’s 64th anniversary, culminated in an awards night where Dr. Olusunle and 42 other distinguished members were elevated to the esteemed rank of Fellow the highest membership category in the society.

Founded in 1961 as the Nigerian Mining Geological and Metallurgical Society (NMGMS), the NMGS has played a pivotal role in advancing the fields of mining, earth sciences, and metallurgy. With a legacy dating back to Nigeria’s First Republic, where Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe served as the society’s first patron, NMGS continues to uphold professional excellence through research, knowledge dissemination, and policy advocacy.

As a statutory member of the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG), NMGS ensures that mining and geosciences professionals adhere to the highest ethical standards.

The society’s membership categories range from students to corporate affiliates, with the Fellow designation standing as the pinnacle of achievement.

Dr. Olusunle, before his current role at NASENI, served as the Managing Director of the Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI) in Akure. He is a distinguished Fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), the Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (MSN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS).

Reflecting on the recognition, Dr. Olusunle expressed his gratitude, stating, “I give God the glory and I am truly humbled to be elected Fellow of NMGS. NASENI’s mandate aligns closely with NMGS’s core concerns, particularly in solid minerals exploitation through its institute, SOMMEDI.

Under the leadership of EVC/CEO Khalil S. Halilu, NASENI is also actively engaged in key projects such as the Federal Government’s CNG initiative, reinforcing the synergy between our agency and NMGS.”

This recognition further cements NASENI’s role in national development, particularly in fostering collaboration between science, engineering, and the solid minerals sector.