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.
