Nigeria sits on an energy goldmine beneath its feet

How magnetotelluric science could spark a new power revolution

Nigeria’s quest for stable and reliable electricity may require looking beyond conventional energy sources and beneath the ground itself.

Hidden beneath parts of the country lies a potentially significant geothermal resource capable of contributing to long-term energy security, supporting industrial growth, and expanding access to electricity.

Across Nigeria, natural geothermal indicators already exist. These include the Ikogosi Warm Spring in Ekiti State, the Wikki Warm Spring in Bauchi State, and the Akiri and Keana hot springs within the Benue Trough. Such surface manifestations suggest the presence of deeper geothermal systems that remain largely unexplored.

Geophysical studies have identified promising geothermal conditions across the Benue Trough, Chad Basin, Sokoto Basin, and parts of the Niger Delta Basin. Elevated heat flow, deep-seated fault systems, and thermal anomalies indicate that these regions may host commercially viable geothermal resources. Yet, despite this potential, Nigeria has neither undertaken a comprehensive geothermal exploration programme nor developed a geothermal power plant.

Unlocking this resource begins with understanding what lies beneath the surface. This is where Magnetotellurics (MT) becomes critically important. MT is an advanced geophysical technology that uses naturally occurring electromagnetic signals to create detailed images of deep subsurface structures. It can identify geothermal reservoirs, map fluid pathways, detect heat sources, and significantly reduce exploration risks before expensive drilling begins.

A National Geothermal Resource Mapping Initiative built around MT surveys would enable Nigeria to identify and rank geothermal prospects, develop the nation’s first geothermal resource atlas, and provide investors with the scientific confidence required to support future development. The potential of geothermal energy has become even more significant in light of Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2023, one of the most consequential reforms in the nation’s energy sector since independence. The Act fundamentally reshaped Nigeria’s electricity landscape by decentralising electricity generation, transmission, and distribution while empowering states to establish and regulate their own electricity markets. It also encourages greater private-sector participation, promotes investment in renewable energy technologies, and creates new pathways for innovative energy projects capable of addressing Nigeria’s long-standing power challenges. This evolving legal framework provides a unique opportunity for geothermal development.

Once identified and properly characterised through scientific exploration, geothermal resources could support utility-scale power generation, industrial energy projects, mini-grid systems, and dedicated power solutions for manufacturing clusters and industrial parks. States with favourable geothermal conditions could leverage the flexibility provided under the Electricity Act to attract investment, establish public-private partnerships, and develop localised energy projects that stimulate economic growth while reducing dependence on the national grid.

In effect, the Electricity Act 2023 has created a policy environment that makes geothermal exploration and development more feasible than at any other time in Nigeria’s history. Such an initiative aligns closely with the federal government’s objectives of expanding electricity generation, strengthening energy security, and diversifying the nation’s energy mix.

While gas, hydro, solar, and wind will continue to play important roles in Nigeria’s energy transition, geothermal energy offers a distinct advantage: reliable baseload electricity twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of weather conditions. As Nigeria pursues its long-term electricity goals, every viable domestic energy resource deserves serious consideration.

Geothermal energy is one of the few renewable technologies capable of delivering continuous power while reducing dependence on fuel supply chains and improving grid stability. Unlike solar and wind energy, which depend on environmental conditions, geothermal power plants can operate continuously, providing dependable electricity for homes, businesses, hospitals, industries, and critical infrastructure.

Beyond electricity generation, a national MT exploration programme could attract significant investment, create high-skilled jobs, strengthen local technical expertise, and position Nigeria as a regional leader in geothermal development. The programme would stimulate collaboration among universities, research institutions, government agencies, and private-sector stakeholders. It would also create opportunities for Nigerian geoscientists, engineers, technicians, and energy professionals to develop specialised expertise in an emerging field with substantial global demand.

Furthermore, geothermal development could support industrialisation by providing stable and affordable electricity to manufacturing hubs, mining operations, agricultural processing facilities, and other energy-intensive sectors.

Most importantly, a comprehensive geothermal exploration programme would provide policymakers with the scientific evidence necessary for informed decision-making in an increasingly competitive global energy environment.

Nigeria’s geothermal future will not be determined by speculation but by data. Before geothermal power can be generated, the resource must first be discovered, mapped, and quantified. Magnetotelluric science provides the tools to make that possible.

With the Electricity Act 2023 creating new pathways for investment, innovation, and decentralised power development, Nigeria now possesses both the legal framework and scientific tools needed to explore this largely untapped resource. The energy beneath Nigeria’s feet may prove to be one of the nation’s most overlooked strategic assets.

At a time when nations across the world are racing to secure reliable, sustainable, and domestically sourced energy, Nigeria cannot afford to leave any viable resource unexplored.

The time has come to find out what lies beneath and determine whether the next chapter of Nigeria’s energy story is waiting underground.

Oladejo C. Owolabi, PhD, is a space geophysicist and electromagnetic exploration specialist at Green Energy Inc., USA.