N 10°17', E 09°49'
elev. 1,280 m
Jos Plateau, NG
Shadrach S. Sheriff
Senior Geologist GIS Specialist Nigeria

Reading the
stratigraphy
of a continent.

Fourteen years of field boots, rock hammers, and remote-sensing pipelines. Mapping mineral wealth, telling stories in layers, building the digital scaffolding of African geoscience.

See the work → Get in touch →
0 m
Surface Fieldwork & exploration
12 m
Regolith GIS & remote sensing
45 m
Basement Geochem & XRD/XRF
120 m
Plutonic AI & geocomputing
∞
Mantle Community & mentorship
§ 01 / About
Profile

A geologist who writes code
and reads rocks.

I'm Shadrach Sehmilo Sheriff, Senior Geologist at African Pits and Quarries Ltd. leading exploration campaigns across Nigeria, President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society - Young Professionals (NMGS-YP), and founder of soluXYZon services Ltd., a geological and GIS consultancy.

My practice sits where two worlds meet. On one side, the physical discipline: pits, core, XRD, XRF, the slow accumulation of evidence that tells you whether a ring complex is worth drilling. On the other, the digital work: Geospatial Analysis, Cartography, Google Earth Engine scripts, StoryMaps, web dashboards, and increasingly, large language models trained on geoscience.

I contribute to the Deep-Time Digital Earth (DDE) platform and GeoGPT at Zhejiang Lab, consult remotely for Unity Water Foundation, South Africa, Visual Knowledge US and HippoRoller, and am preparing for doctoral research in applied geochemistry at China University of Geosciences, Beijing. Through NMGS-YP I'm building mentorship, training, and Pan-African geoscience and computer science collaboration.

50locations
Geological & Geochemical Mapping, Precambrian Basement Complex & Jurassic Younger Granites
38holes
~5,000 m drilled
12intl
International Conferences attended
2continents
Presented in Busan, Nairobi
39km²
Active licence area
14years
In African geoscience
§ 02 / Origins
The Story

From Jalingo, Taraba
to the world stage.

"Geology chose me before I chose it, in the Benue valleys of Jalingo where the river carved through ancient Precambrian basement, and in the way the environment screamed its nature gifts to the nation."

I grew up in Jalingo, Taraba State, north-east Nigeria, where the Benue River system winds through ancient Precambrian basement and the landscape speaks in a language older than any textbook. Before I had words for igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic, I was already reading the rock beneath my feet.

Secondary school took me briefly to Boys Secondary School, Gindiri on the Jos Plateau (2005–2007), then to UMCN Junior Seminary where I completed my West African examinations in 2012. A BSc in Geology at the University of Maiduguri followed: four years building the foundation, interrupted by a formative internship in petroleum exploration at NPDC's Benin-City office in 2016.

An MSc in Applied Geophysics at the University of Ibadan opened the digital dimension: Python, GIS, Earth Engine, and geophysical survey acquisition across Nigeria. From there: mineral exploration across a dozen states chasing gold, lithium, tin, iron, monazite; a promotion to Senior Geologist; two international conference stages; and a collaboration with Zhejiang Lab's GeoGPT and Deep-Time Digital Earth platform on AI and geodata for geoscience. The thread running through all of it is unchanged, curiosity about what the earth is hiding, and the drive to map it honestly.

Field mapping with Prof Zhu, Tonglu, China
Field mapping with Prof Zhu & Zhejiang Geological Survey, Tonglu, China
Nairobi, Kenya, Colloquium of African Geology 2024
Nairobi, Kenya, Colloquium of African Geology, 2024
01
2005 – 2012
School Years: Plateau & Taraba
Boys Secondary School, Gindiri · UMCN Junior Seminary, Jalingo
Began secondary school at Boys Secondary School, Gindiri on the Jos Plateau (2005–2007), then transferred to UMCN Junior Seminary in Jalingo, Taraba State, completing my West African school certificate in 2012. Growing up in Jalingo, where the Benue River carves through ancient basement rock, quietly shaped everything that came after.
Hiking the hills surrounding UMCN Junior Seminary
Striking the Usain Bolt Pose Circa 2011 or 2012 while hiking the hills surrounding UMCN Junior Seminary with my classmates. I never thought I would be paid to hike years later.
02
2013 – Oct 2017
BSc (Hons) Geology
University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Four years immersed in structural geology, petrology, geochemistry, and field mapping across north-east Nigeria's basement complex. In February–July 2016 I interned at the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Benin-City, Edo State, learning well log interpretation and petrophysical analysis in the exploration department, and visiting active flow stations across the Niger Delta.
Well head at the Ozeingbe flow station, NPDC, 2016
Visited one of the well heads at the Ozeingbe flow station. 2016
03
2017 – Jul 2019
Family Business & National Service
CBS Multi-Links, Jalingo · NYSC, Benin-City
After graduating I managed the family rental business, CBS Multi-Links, in Jalingo, Taraba State (2017–2018), keeping roots while the next chapter took shape. From August 2018 to July 2019 I completed the mandatory National Youth Service Scheme, teaching Basic Technology and Science at Ebenezer Children Academy Secondary School in Benin-City, Edo State.
NYSC passing out ceremony, Egor LGA, Edo State
NYSC passing out ceremony at Egor Local Government Secretariat, Edo State
04
Mar 2021 – May 2023
MSc Geology (Applied Geophysics)
University of Ibadan, Nigeria · PTDF Scholar
COVID delayed enrolment until March 2021; I graduated May 2023. Served as Publicity Secretary then Secretary of the UI Geophysical Student Chapter. Learned Python programming and GIS at Ibadan, volunteering on colleagues' geological mapping and geophysical survey acquisitions. Won the PTDF In-Country Scholarship Scheme Award. Concurrently worked at SoloMay Geoservices (June 2021–December 2022) as a Field Geophysicist conducting 2D ERT, VES, and PQW EM surveys for environmental and water exploration, including an EIA for Evercare Hospital, Lagos.
Graduation at the University of Ibadan
Graduation at the University of Ibadan
05
2023 – May 2025
Geologist → Senior Geologist
DMW LOVOL Engineering Ltd., Nigeria
Began as Geologist on the ENL Gold Project in Ilesa, SW Nigeria, then ranged across Yobe, Kwara, Bauchi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, and Oyo pursuing gold, lithium, quartz, and other commodities. Stepped up to lead the team after the senior geologists departed, driving the Kogi Iron Ore Project in Upake, Ajaokuta: a war story in logistics and perseverance. Moved on to the Tulu Tin Project, Toro, Bauchi, discovering four prospects and processing an SSML application for one, while resident in Jos, Plateau. Formally promoted to Senior Geologist in May 2025.
Pitting program, Tulu Tin Project Area, Toro LGA, Bauchi
DMW Conducting Pitting Program in the Tulu Tin Project Area, Toro LGA, Bauchi State Nigeria
06
2024
International Stage: Busan & Nairobi
37th IGC, South Korea · 30th CAG, Kenya
Presented GeoGPT MapGenerator at the International Geological Congress in Busan, and led a hands-on DDE / GeoGPT training workshop at the Colloquium of African Geology, Nairobi. Began collaborating with Zhejiang Lab's Deep-Time Digital Earth platform on AI for geoscience and building GeoMinerAI, an LLM assistant trained on geoscience literature for mineral exploration workflows.
At Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, Shadrach Sheriff, Prof Jieping Ye, Prof Jim Ogg, Prof Hyongyang Cheng
At Zhejiang Lab, home to GeoGPT, in Hangzhou. From R–L: Shadrach Sheriff, Professor Jieping Ye (Director GeoGPT), Professor Jim Ogg (Purdue University), Professor Hyongyang Cheng
07
2026 – Present
Senior Geologist & GIS Specialist
African Pits & Quarries Ltd. (APQ Africa)
Leading exploration and GIS operations at APQ Africa. Serving as President of NMGS Young Professionals, building mentorship pipelines, training programmes, and Pan-African geoscience collaboration networks for the next generation of Nigerian earth scientists.
With the team
With the team
§ 03 / Cartography
Selected GIS Works

Maps that do
more than locate.

Interactive web maps, operational dashboards, and narrative StoryMaps built for exploration teams, NGOs, and public audiences. Each piece below is live. Click to explore.

◎
Click to view Story Map
Story Map / Featured

Serving Humanity, Saving Lives

What does it take to give someone a second chance at life? For Anil Srivatsa, it meant leaving behind the comfort of home, crossing oceans and mountains, and driving through 79 countries, all to spread one simple but powerful message: organ donation saves lives. In 2014 Anil donated his kidney to save his brother, Dr. Arjun Srivatsa, a neurosurgeon battling kidney failure. That act of love sparked an extraordinary journey: 300,000 km across 79 countries, over 270,000 people reached through more than 1,000 talks. Commissioned by Sarah Van Herdeen of Unity Water Foundation.

ArcGIS StoryMaps NGO Organ Donation Unity Water Foundation
Open full story →
◫
Click to load Dashboard
Operations Dashboard

Gift of Life Impact Dashboard

Live-updating dashboard to help Anil Srivatsa track responses from ArcGIS Survey123.

ArcGIS Dashboards Gift of Life Adventure Organ Donation Survey123
Open dashboard →
⬡
Click to load Web Map
Interactive Web Map

Cycling the Andalucian Mountains

ArcGIS web map tracing Anil Srivatsa's cycling routes through the Andalucian mountains shortly after his kidney transplant, riding alongside his brother Dr. Arjun Srivatsa and son Soorya. A story of recovery, resilience, and the road ahead.

ArcGIS Web Map Cycling Routes Organ Donation Unity Water Foundation
Open web map →
◎
Click to view Story Map
Story Map

Driving the Message

Anil Srivatsa turned donating a kidney to his brother into a global road-trip mission, driving across continents to raise awareness about organ donation worldwide. This StoryMap charts the route, the encounters, and the lives changed along the way. Produced for Unity Water Foundation.

ArcGIS StoryMaps NGO Organ Donation Road Trip
Open full story →
🌍
Click to open World Clock
Web App / soluXYZon

soluXYZon World Clock

A GIS-centric world clock for distributed teams and international consultants. Full-screen MapLibre map with a live solar terminator showing day/night in real time, colour-coded city pins by relationship type, a ±24-hour time scrubber, and a Meeting Finder heatmap that highlights when every city on your map is simultaneously in working hours. Sign in to sync cities across devices.

Next.js MapLibre GL Supabase Solar Geometry TypeScript
Open app →
⬡
Click to open GeoMinerAI
AI Platform / Geoscience

GeoMinerAI

A geoscience-focused AI platform for reasoning, benchmarking, and mineral exploration decision support. Features retrieval-augmented geoscience Q&A with PDF evidence and citations, closed-book LLM benchmarking with GeoGPT-CoT-QA, and a Sn–Nb–Ta–REE Lab with XRF screening, target ranking, ML baselines, and AI explanations.

Python Streamlit RAG LLM Mineral Exploration
Open GeoMinerAI →
▣
Click to view map gallery
Static Cartography

Print cartography: geological and target maps

A selection of print-quality, publication-ready maps for PARC/AMREC technical reports, conference posters, and public outreach materials in ArcGIS Pro and QGIS.

ArcGIS Pro QGIS Cartographic Design
§ 04 / Field & Rock
Geological Work

Selected field &
technical projects.

Exploration, geochemistry, technical reporting, and international presentations. Click any project to zoom the map, or click a pin to jump to the project.

◆ Click pins or projects to explore
01
2025–26
Younger Granite ring complex, Bauchi
Lead Geologist Jos Plateau, NG
Led a 47-sample XRD petrological study across a Mesozoic Younger Granite ring complex, systematically interpreting mineralogy, geochemistry, and tin prospectivity per sample. Identified LV 029 (topaz granite) and LV 016 (greisen) as priority targets. Complemented a prior 40-sample XRF geochemical campaign (ANRML26-137) across a 39.08 km² licence. Produced three PARC/AMREC-compliant technical documents: full geochemistry report, management summary, and a two-phase diamond core drilling program (38 holes, 836 m, HQ3/NQ2).
XRD XRF Cassiterite AMREC Drill Design
→
02
2026
Toro cassiterite pitting campaign
Field Lead Bauchi State, NG
Coordinated a two-week cassiterite pitting programme across Durbi Babuje and Doka pit sites. Refined daily field reporting standards for the team using professional geological language. Deployed ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 integration for real-time data capture from pits to dashboard.
Pitting Field Maps Team Leadership
→
03
2024–25
GeoMinerAI: LLM-powered exploration assistant
Founder / Developer Lagos, NG (SoluXYZon)
Ongoing development of GeoMinerAI, an exploration assistant integrating Google Earth Engine, PCA, spectral analysis, and a LangChain agent within a Streamlit interface. Planned DeepSeek LLM backbone with RAG-style geoscience dataset integration for structured mineral prospecting workflows.
LangChain Streamlit GEE RAG AI
→
04
2024
37th International Geological Congress
Presenter Busan, South Korea
Presented GeoGPT's MapGenerator Tool at IGC Busan on behalf of the Deep-Time Digital Earth (DDE) platform, demonstrating agentic cartography workflows for geoscience audiences.
GeoGPT DDE International
→
05
2024
30th Colloquium of African Geology
Trainer Nairobi, Kenya
Trained Pan-African geoscience participants in DDE and GeoGPT workflows, covering map generation, literature retrieval, and AI-assisted geological reasoning in a hands-on workshop format.
Training Pan-African DDE
→
06
2026
NMGS-YP leadership & mentorship programme
President Nigeria / Pan-African
Leading the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society Young Professionals. Delivered the branded 61st AICE Uyo conference report covering REE technical sessions and the AGM. Co-facilitated a DDE/GeoGPT AI workshop with Prof. Mike Stephenson and am advancing a Pan-African Geoscience and Computer Science Forum alongside a formal NMGS-YP Mentorship Programme.
Leadership Mentorship Pan-African Policy
→
§ 06 / Writing
Publications, Talks, Reports

On paper, on the stage.

Click any title to open the document, slide deck, image, or external page.

Technical Reports & Publications

2026
Prompt Engineering Best Practices for Geoscience Audiences↗
Guide and PowerPoint, NMGS-YP / DDE training series
2025
Energy transition geoscience is an urgent research need for Africa↗
Geoenergy, December 2025 | Journal article · DOI: 10.1144/geoenergy2025-014 · Stephenson, Mouri, Okunlola, Chamussa, Cheng, Wang, Zhao, Yang, Gu, Sheriff et al.
2025
Multidisciplinary Assessment of Geoheritage and Geotourism for Economic Development: A Case Study of Oyo State, Southwestern Nigeria↗
Bankole, Omosanya et al. · SSRN preprint · ssrn.com/abstract=5158888
2024
Large Language Models for Map Generation: Nigerian Geoscience↗
DDE News — Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) Newsletter, September 29, 2024

Conferences & Talks

2026
NMGS-YP Connect, DDE/GeoGPT↗
NMGS-YP / DDE / GeoGPT workshop, 61st AICE Uyo, with Prof. Mike Stephenson
2026
61st NMGS Annual International Conference Report↗
NMGS-YP branded conference documentation, Uyo
2025
DDE and GeoGPT: hands-on training for African geoscientists↗
30th Colloquium of African Geology, Nairobi, Kenya
2024
GeoGPT MapGenerator: an agentic tool for geoscience cartography↗
37th International Geological Congress, Busan, South Korea