If you want to understand how people, places, environments, and resources interact across local and global scales, the B.Sc. Geography programme provides you with a scientifically grounded and socially relevant pathway. The programme studies the Earth’s physical systems, human activities, spatial patterns, and the techniques used to shape sustainable communities.
You will explore climate, landforms, population trends, settlement patterns, environmental hazards, geographic information systems (GIS), and development challenges. The programme also equips you with spatial analysis, map interpretation, field research, and skills needed to address issues such as urbanisation, climate change, resource management, and regional development.
Course Overview
The programme combines physical geography, human geography, cartography, GIS, environmental management, and planning theory. You will learn how to analyse spatial problems, collect and interpret geographic data, and design solutions for sustainable regional and urban development.
The programme duration is four years for UTME entrants and three years for Direct Entry students. Your training includes courses in landform processes, climatology, population studies, remote sensing, urban and regional planning, environmental analysis, and development studies. You will participate in field trips, laboratory work, mapping exercises, GIS training, and a final-year research project. This multidisciplinary curriculum prepares you for careers in environmental planning, GIS applications, urban development, disaster management, and policy analysis.
Course Curriculum
The curriculum follows the NUC Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS). It incorporates physical sciences, social sciences, spatial technologies, planning principles, and field-based learning.
Your first year introduces you to the foundations of geography, environmental systems, cartography, and general academic skills. Courses include:
- Introduction to Physical Geography
- Introduction to Human Geography
- Fundamentals of Cartography
- Elements of Environmental Science
- General Geomorphology
- Communication in English
- Nigerian Peoples and Culture
- Mathematics for Social Sciences
- Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
These courses build your understanding of Earth systems, map reading, and the human–environment relationship.
You begin to explore core areas of physical and human geography, spatial analysis, and regional studies. Technical skills in mapping and fieldwork become more advanced. Courses include:
- Climatology
- Biogeography
- Population Geography
- Economic Geography
- Regional Geography of Africa
- Map Interpretation and Analysis
- Field Methods in Geography
- Statistics for Social Sciences
- Computer Applications in Geography
- Entrepreneurship Studies
This level strengthens your analytical and spatial interpretation abilities.
You transition into applied and planning-focused areas, including GIS, remote sensing, environmental management, and regional development. Courses include:
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Remote Sensing
- Urban and Regional Planning Principles
- Transportation Geography
- Environmental Management
- Spatial Analysis Techniques
- Rural Development Studies
- Research Methods in Geography
- SIWES (Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme)
These courses prepare you for professional work in planning, environmental assessment, and spatial analysis.
Your final year focuses on advanced applications in planning, environmental modelling, and policy-oriented studies. You also complete a supervised research project. Courses include:
- Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
- Urban Planning and Sustainable Cities
- Regional Development Planning
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Disaster Risk Management
- Land Use Planning
- Project Work / Dissertation
- Electives in specialised geographic or planning fields
You graduate with strong competence in geographic analysis, planning design, environmental assessment, and applied spatial technologies.
Entry Requirements
To gain admission into the B.Sc. Geography programme, you must satisfy the approved UTME or Direct Entry requirements.
1. UTME Admission (Four-Year Programme)
- You must have at least five credit passes in relevant O-Level subjects in not more than two sittings. These must include English Language, Mathematics, Geography, and two other acceptable subjects from the Social Sciences or Sciences.
- Sit for the UTME with English Language, Geography, and two other relevant subjects
- Achieve a competitive UTME score and meet the departmental cut-off
- Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise
- Demonstrate interest in spatial analysis, environmental studies, or development planning
2. Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Programme)
- Five O-Level credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics, Geography, and two other Social Science or Science subjects
- A-Level passes in Geography and one other related subject
- OR an ND/NCE in Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Management, Surveying, or related fields with at least Merit or Lower Credit
All Direct Entry applicants must also satisfy the University’s general admission regulations and provide official transcripts where applicable.
Why study at OOU?
Studying Geography at Olabisi Onabanjo University equips you with the analytical, spatial, and planning skills needed to understand and address challenges related to land use, population growth, climate change, urbanisation, and regional development. You will benefit from:
- A CCMAS-guided curriculum covering physical geography, human geography, cartography, GIS, remote sensing, and planning theory
- Hands-on training in spatial technologies, including GIS, remote sensing, GPS mapping, and environmental modelling
- Field trips and mapping exercises that provide practical exposure to landscapes, settlements, and planning challenges
- Lecturers with expertise in urban planning, environmental management, geomorphology, population studies, and spatial analysis
- Opportunities for SIWES placement in planning authorities, environmental agencies, GIS labs, and development organisations
- Training in problem-solving and policy-oriented analysis, preparing you for work in urban development, environmental planning, sustainability, and regional management
- A strong foundation for postgraduate studies in Geography, Regional Planning, Environmental Management, Urban Studies, GIS, and related fields
At OOU, you gain the knowledge and skills to become a professional who contributes meaningfully to sustainable development and spatial decision-making.
Research Project
In your final year, you will undertake a supervised research project that demonstrates your ability to analyse geographic problems and propose environmental solutions. This project allows you to specialise in an area of interest within geography, environmental studies, or planning. Your research may involve:
- Land use mapping and spatial pattern analysis
- Urban growth and settlement studies
- Environmental impact assessment
- Climate and hazard vulnerability analysis
- GIS- or remote-sensing-based spatial modelling
- Rural development investigations
- Transportation network or accessibility studies
- Population and demographic analysis
During the project, you will:
- Formulate a clear research question based on geographic challenges
- Collect field data using surveys, maps, GPS, or remote sensing tools
- Analyse data using GIS, statistical methods, or spatial modelling techniques
- Prepare a well-structured dissertation and defend your findings before an academic panel
This capstone experience prepares you for careers in GIS, environmental analysis, and development consultancy.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Science in Geography, you must fulfil the graduation requirements approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Academic Requirements
- Complete and pass all compulsory, required, and elective courses
- Earn a minimum of 120 credit units if admitted through UTME, or 90 credit units if admitted through Direct Entry
- Maintain a minimum CGPA of 1.00
- Complete and defend your final-year research project
Grading and Degree Classification
Your final classification is determined by your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), as follows:
Upon satisfying these requirements, you will be awarded the B.Sc. (Hons) Geography, a qualification recognised for its relevance to environmental management, urban development, and regional policy design.
Career Opportunities
A degree in Geography prepares you for diverse roles across environmental management, spatial analysis, development organisations, and GIS-driven industries. Your training equips you to address the challenges of land use, population growth, urbanisation, resource management, and climate change.
Possible Job Roles Include:
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst
- Urban Planner
- Regional Development Planner
- Environmental Planning Officer
- Cartographer or Mapping Officer
- Remote Sensing Technician
- Environmental Impact Assessment Consultant
- Population and Demographic Analyst
- Disaster Risk Management Officer
- Transportation Planning Assistant
- Research Assistant in Geography or Planning
- Climate and Environmental Data Analyst
Where You May Work:
- Urban planning authorities and regional development agencies
- Environmental protection and climate-related organisations
- GIS and remote sensing laboratories
- Government ministries (environment, works, housing, planning)
- Non-governmental organisations focused on development and sustainability
- Surveying, mapping, and land management firms
- Oil, gas, and mineral exploration companies (environmental units)
- Construction and engineering companies
- Research centres and universities
- International development agencies
Your degree also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate study in Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Management, GIS and Remote Sensing, Disaster Management, and related disciplines.
How to Apply?
1. UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme)
- Select Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) as your first-choice institution.
- Choose Geography as your preferred programme.
- Sit for UTME with English Language, Geography, and two other relevant subjects.
- Possess five O-Level credits including English Language, Mathematics, Geography, and two other accepted Social Science/Science subjects.
- Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise and meet the departmental cut-off mark.
2. Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme)
- Hold A-Level passes in Geography and a related subject,
OR possess an ND/NCE in Geography, Regional Planning, Environmental Management, Surveying, or related areas with at least Merit or Lower Credit. - Present five O-Level credits, including English Language, Mathematics, Geography, and two other relevant subjects.
- Upload your academic transcripts and required documents via the OOU Admissions Portal.
- Complete all screening and verification exercises.
You may monitor your admission progress through the University’s dedicated admissions portal.
Course Coordinator
The B.Sc. Geography programme is managed by a team of dedicated geographers, planners, and spatial analysts within the Department of Geography, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences (SMS).
The current programme coordinator is:
Dr [Full Name]
Contact Information:
- Email:
- Phone:
- Office:
Course Overview
- Next Admission Process
- Current Academic Year
- Associated programmes = Undergraduate
- Course Duration = 4 Years
- Degree = Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- Faculty = Social Sciences
- Course Type = Full Time
- Course Delivery = On campus.
- Location = Faculty of Social Sciences, Main Campus.
- Scholarship opportunities