(MGIT) in collaboration with FUTA

Department of Remote Sensing and Geoscience Information Systems and Centre for Space Research and Applications (CESRA) Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria and Department of Geographic Information Systems, Africa Regional Institute for Geospatial Information Science and Technology (ARIGIST) Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Programme Philosophy

The Master’s degree programme in Geoinformation Technology (MGIT) is designed to train highly skilled manpower in the science and technology of geospatial information.  The Programme is designed to extend the frontiers of education and scientific research in Geographic Information System (GIS) with a view to increasing the benefits derived from the technology in various disciplines. In addition, the Programme is expected to provide opportunity for networking among several countries who are member States of AFRIGIST in particular and other nations in general. The graduates of the programme will fit into the critical areas of their country’s economy.

  • International Focus
  • Residential Courses
  • Focus On People
  • Student Dedication
  • Career Placement

Programme Objectives

The objectives of the Programme are to:

    1. provide theoretical and practical training in Geoinformatics and applications;
    2. produce high grade professional experts/scientists in Geoinformation science;
    3. enhance capacity and capability for research development and application of Geographic Information technologies;
    4. equip graduates of various disciplines with adequate technical capability in Geoinformation science applications;
    5. provide opportunities for result-oriented research in Geographic Information System (GIS), relevant to the country’s needs of the participant;
    6. disseminate to the public the results of research and facilitate the practical application of these results; and
    7. collaborate with national and international agencies in the areas of applying GIS to tackle relevant problems.

Justification for the Programme

Geoinformation Technology is an emerging area of specialization that is required in the identification, assessment and management of land and natural resources. Therefore there is the need have access to such knowledge in order to use it in developing and managing the abundant resources available to African countries. In particular, land is a fundamental resource for all human uses desiring proper management for a sustained productivity; and this has been the source of many feuds in Africa. Proper understanding of the availability and disposition of natural resources (including renewable and non-renewable energy resources such as oil and natural gas) can be achieved through Geoinformation Technology; hence it will enhance their exploitation for the economic benefit of the nation’s citizens, and with adequate consideration for the environment. Secondly, natural and man-induced disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and tsunamis have been known to wreak havoc on human habitation, particularly in Africa where there is paucity of knowledge in strategies for their management. Injudicious oil and mineral exploitation, uncontrolled deforestation with the attendant climate change effects of ozone depletion, global warming and other atmospheric issues are challenges facing the world. Therefore, an understanding of such occurrences and their spatial distribution will enable proper management of their manifestations and post-occurrence activities with minimal effects on the population. Finally, any nation’s integrity borders on its capabilities in crime prevention and maintenance of peace and security within the country. Therefore, police and military intelligence gathering through Geoinformation Technology are essential in this regard, hence the need to equip their personnel through their exposure to this programme.

NB: This programme is also executed in French in Collaboration with University of Abomey Calavi, Republic of benin, but with the denomination MGIS: Master of Geographic Information Science

Master of Geoinformation Technology (MGIT).  Available Options/Specialization;

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Disaster Management
  • GIS in Environmental Management
  • GIS in Land Resource Management
  • GIS and Natural Resource Management
  • GIS in Hydrology and Water Resource Management
  • GIS in Meteorology and Climate Change
  • GIS in Soil Analysis and Agricultural Management
  • GIS in Health and Social Development
  • GIS in Crime Mapping, Peace and Security
  • GIS in Military Intelligence
  • GIS in Urban Planning

Course Outline

Course Code Course Title Contact Hours Credit Units
Lecture Tutorial Practical
GIT811(C) Geographical Information Fundamentals (Principles of remote sensing, image processing, GIS & data acquisition) 2 3 3
GIT813(C) Spatial databases 2 3 3
GIT815(C) Spatial Information Analysis & Modelling 2 3 3
Elective Courses 6
Total 15
Elective Courses 
GIT817(E) GIS in Environmental Management 2 3 3
GIT819(E) GIS in Disaster Management 2 3 3
GIT821(E) GIS in Land Resource Management 2 3 3
 GIT823(E) GIS in Natural Resource Development 2  – 3 3
 GIT825(E) GIS in Crime Mapping, Peace and Security 2  – 3 3
 GIT827(E) GIS  in Urban Planning 2  – 3 3
Course Code Course Title Contact Hours Credit Units
Lecture Tutorial Practical
GIT812(C) Geo-Visualization and Cartographic Production 2 3 3
GIT814(C) Contemporary Issues in GIS 2 3 3
GIT816(C) Research Methods and Data Analysis 2 3 3
GIT818(C) Course Seminar I 6 2
Elective Courses 6
Total 17
Elective Courses 
GIT820(E) GIS in Water Resource Management 2 3 3
GIT822(E) GIS in Meteorology and Climate Change 2 3 3
GIT824(E) GIS in soil analysis & agricultural management 2 3 3
 GIT826(E) GIS in health and social development 2  – 3 3
 GIT828(E) GIS in Military intelligence 2  – 3 3
Course Code Course Title Contact Hours Credit Units
Lecture Tutorial Practical
GIT829(C) Course Seminar II 6 2
GIT899(C) Master’s Thesis Research Project 36 12
Total 14

Candidates with any of the following qualifications are eligible for admission into the Master of Geoinformation Technology (MGIT) programme:

  1. AFRIGIST Postgraduate diploma (PGD), or equivalent, in Geoinformation Science and Production Management with minimum average score of 60%;
  2. A professional Master’s degree in GIS or Surveying and Geoinformatics;
  3. A first degree not below Second Class Honours (Lower Division) or a higher degree in Sciences and Engineering, or related disciplines from any recognized university. Any candidate in this category will be required to take necessary remedial courses.

Programme Duration

 The programme is Full Time, and the duration is minimum of 18 months (3 semesters) and maximum of 24 months (4 semesters)

Graduation Requirements

 To be eligible for the award of MGIT degree, students must have:

  • scored a minimum of 50 % in all core and prescribed elective courses in the Programme;
  • must have accumulated at least 46 course units;
  • been in residence at FUTA for a minimum of 4 weeks for Seminar Presentation;
  • successfully presented at least two thesis project seminars: proposal and progress seminars;
  • fulfilled all other conditions as prescribed by the Board of the School of Post Graduate Studies of FUTA and AFRIGIST; and
  • successfully completed and defended a research thesis in an oral examination.

METHOD OF APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Candidates must submit duly completed application forms to the Centre not later than the 30th of May of the intended year of study for courses beginning in October of Every year

Successful applicants should report at the centre with the following documents:

  • Certificate of medical fitness from a recognised Public health Institution;
  • Statement of support by candidate’s financial sponsor/Employer (where applicable)
  • 2 passport-size photographs of the candidate; and
  • Photocopies of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other credentials including transcript of academic records, original copy of which shall be presented on arrival at the Centre.

Private Candidates or Candidates Sponsored by Non-Member States

All private application forms (including non-residential courses), duly completed and signed by applicants, should be returned directly to the Executive Director of the Centre.

Candidates Sponsored by Member States

In order to be eligible for AFRIGIST fellowship a prospective candidate is encouraged to obtain nomination from his/her country’s Respective member in AFRIGIST Governing Council (Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal). Fellowship covers tuition accommodation, feeding stipend and other allowances.

Candidates can also seek support, scholarships and fellowships from national and international organisations such as State Governments and Departments, Ministries and agencies, Educational Trust Fund (ETF), Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF), Shell or other oil companies, UNDP, DFID, IFRA, UNESCO, Ford Foundation, etc.

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