Professor, University of Calabar, Nigeria
🌊 Professor Effiom Edem Antia is a distinguished scholar in oceanography and marine geology, known for his pioneering contributions to coastal and marine environmental studies. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, the African Academy of Science, and serves as the Vice President for Africa of the International Society of Environmental Geotechnology. With over 35 years of experience in coastal studies, Professor Antia has significantly advanced our understanding of coastal and oceanic processes, both within Nigeria and internationally. He currently heads the Department of Physical Oceanography at the University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Publication Profile
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Strengths for the Award:
- Extensive Experience and Expertise: Prof. Antia has over 35 years of experience in coastal studies, spanning various regions, including the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. His expertise in geological and physical oceanography is well-established, as evidenced by his appointment as the first Professor of Oceanography in the Nigerian University System.
- Global Recognition: He is a Fellow of prestigious scientific organizations, such as the Nigerian Academy of Science, the African Academy of Science, and Vice President for Africa of the International Society of Environmental Geotechnology. His recognition extends globally through numerous scholarly fellowships and international engagements.
- Significant Contributions to Research: Prof. Antia’s research has made substantial contributions to global understanding of coastal ocean mechanisms. His work on Nigeria’s inner shelf hydrodynamics and his model’s application to the 1998 Idoho oil spill have reshaped contingency planning for oil spills in Nigeria. His studies on coastal dynamics, sea-level rise, and pollutant management are central to effective coastal zone management.
- Leadership and Advocacy: As the head of the National Centre for Marine Geosciences, he brought the center to continental prominence with benchmark reports on Africa’s coastal issues and innovative geochemical mapping. His efforts in advocating integrated marine sciences education and developing coastal management curricula demonstrate his dedication to education and capacity building in Nigeria.
- Research Versatility: With over 200 oral and technical presentations, Prof. Antia showcases his versatility in various research areas, including sedimentology, geochemistry, and hydrogeology.
Areas for Improvement:
- Focused Research Output in High-Impact Journals: While Prof. Antia has a substantial number of oral and technical presentations, emphasizing publication in high-impact peer-reviewed journals could further solidify his research influence and citation metrics.
- Broader International Collaborations: Expanding collaborations beyond Africa could increase the global impact and visibility of his work, bringing in diverse perspectives and strengthening international partnerships.
Education
🎓 Professor Antia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology (1981) from the University of Calabar, Nigeria, and a Dr.rer.nat. in Marine Geology (1992) from the University of Bremen, Germany. He has further enriched his knowledge through professional certifications in Coastal and Shelf Sediment Dynamics, Ocean Circulation, and Coastal Zone Management from institutions in France, Italy, and Belgium, respectively.
Experience
🏆 With a profound academic and professional journey, Professor Antia has held notable positions such as the pioneer Physical Environmental Scientist of the Niger Delta Environmental Survey at Shell Petroleum and the first Professor of Oceanography in the Nigerian University System. He has also served as the pioneer Director of the National Centre for Marine Geosciences, elevating the institution to continental prominence with his leadership and expertise.
Research Focus
🔬 Professor Antia’s research spans a wide range of marine and coastal topics, including hydrodynamics, morphodynamics, sedimentology, geochemistry, and hydrogeology. His groundbreaking work on Nigeria’s inner shelf hydrodynamics has redefined oil spill contingency planning, and his studies on coastal groundwater dynamics, sea-level rise, and pollutant dispersal have informed coastal management practices in Nigeria and beyond.
Awards and Honours
🏅 Professor Antia has received numerous accolades for his contributions to marine science, including his nomination as a pioneer member and Technical Coordinator of the International Council for Science’s Consortium on Hazards and Disaster in Africa. He is recognized for his impactful professional reports on Africa’s coastal issues and for producing the first multi-parameter geochemical maps of Nigerian lagoons, estuaries, and mangrove swamps.
Publication Top Notes
Antia, E. E. (2012). “Coastal Groundwater Dynamics: A Geochemical Perspective.” Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. Cited by 25 articles.
Antia, E. E. (2015). “Morphosedimentary Processes in the North Sea Inner Shelf.” Continental Shelf Research. Cited by 18 articles.
Antia, E. E. (2018). “Hydrodynamic Domains of Nigeria’s Inner Shelf.” Journal of Coastal Research. Cited by 30 articles.
Conclusion:
Prof. Effiom Edem Antia is a highly suitable candidate for the “Research for Best Researcher Award” due to his extensive experience, global recognition, significant contributions to coastal and marine science, and leadership in both research and education. While there is room for further strengthening his international collaborations and publishing in high-impact journals, his outstanding achievements and contributions to understanding complex coastal dynamics and his role in education and policy development make him a compelling nominee for this prestigious award.