Sedimentology of the Pindiga Formation, Gongola Basin, Ne-Nigeria: Lithostratigraphy, Facies, and Clay Mineralogy of the Middle Pindiga Formation, Upper Benue Trough, NE-Nigeria - Tapa blanda

An integrated studies was conducted on the Middle Pindiga Formation (Dumbulwa, Deban Fulani and Gulani Members) involving facies analysis and clay mineralogy. Ten litho-sections were studied within the outcropping belt of the Gongola Basin, which include: Badabdi, Yayaru Daura, Nguzwa, Chole sections from Dumbulwa Member; Dampami, Sabongarin Zambuk and Deba (Borrow Pit) sections from Deban Fulani Member; and Dogon Zaga, Gulani and Maliya sections from Gulani Member. Based on facies sequences and associations, shallow marine, estuarine and braided river systems were identified as the major environments of depositions. Clay mineralogical analysis reveals that the Dumbulwa Member mudstones/claystones are dominated by kaolinite with minor illite, while the Gulani and Deban Fulani Members are dominated mainly by kaolinite-montmorillonite and Kaolinite-montmorillonite-illite respectively as the clay mineral assemblages while quartz, feldspars and heamatite are the non-clay minerals associated with the entire sediments. Preliminary petro-physical analysis indicates that the sandy members have good reservior qualities.

The author currently teaches geology at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi-Nigeria. He obtained his B.Sc. in geology from the University of Maiduguri-Nigeria in 1991. He enrolled for and successfully completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Sedimentology and Petroleum Geology from the same A.T.B.U. Bauchi, in 1998 and 2011 respectively.