Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A five-year research project funded by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) at the University of Jos has confirmed significant indications of oil and natural gas deposits in parts of Plateau State, raising fresh prospects for hydrocarbon exploration in Nigeria's Middle Belt and potentially reshaping the region's economic future. The findings were unveiled on Thursday, June 25, 2026, during the close-out seminar of the PTDF Endowment Professorial Chair in Geology and Mineral Sciences held at the University of Jos, where stakeholders also advocated for stronger collaboration among academia, government and industry to unlock the commercial potential of the discoveries.
Presenting the outcome of the research titled Integrated Geological and Geophysical Evaluation of the Shendam Sheet 212, Middle Belt Trough, Nigeria, the Chair Occupant and Professor of Sedimentology and Petroleum Geology, Prof. Nuhu Kadai Samaila, disclosed that the study identified geological evidence of hydrocarbon occurrence and migration within the area. "I can tell you that there is oil in Plateau. What we are able to establish right now is gas. We also have thick sediments and temperature gradients sufficient to mature source rocks within the basin," Samaila declared.
According to the professor, while the broader project covered sections of the Benue Trough, researchers concentrated on the Shendam Sheet 212 axis, where geological formations favourable for hydrocarbon generation were discovered. Laboratory analyses revealed appreciable organic carbon content in rock samples, while sediment thickness exceeding 500 metres was recorded in several locations — conditions considered suitable for hydrocarbon generation. Despite the effects of weathering and erosion on some samples, the research team identified subsurface indicators associated with hydrocarbon movement.
On the type of hydrocarbons present, Samaila explained that preliminary geochemical assessments showed that the dominant organic materials in the area were largely Type III and Type IV kerogens, suggesting stronger prospects for natural gas generation than crude oil. However, he further revealed that investigations around the Langtang North and Langtang South formations produced signs of oil occurrence, including degraded oil traces observed at the surface, pointing to additional petroleum prospects that warrant further exploration.
Beyond oil and gas, the research also identified commercially valuable barite deposits as well as hydrothermal energy resources with the potential to support electricity generation. These discoveries position Plateau State as a potential hub for not only hydrocarbon development but also industrial mineral exploitation and renewable energy generation.
To ascertain the commercial viability of the discoveries, Samaila urged the PTDF to partner with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to conduct seismic surveys in the area. "If PTDF collaborates with NNPCL, they can carry out seismic surveys in the area where we worked and establish more precisely the quantity and quality of hydrocarbons available," he said.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Prof. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, challenged Nigerian universities and researchers to move beyond academic publications and focus on translating research outcomes into commercially viable products and solutions. Represented by the Deputy Manager, Procurement, PTDF, Mr. Dikko Abba, Aliyu stressed that research institutions must prioritise innovation capable of attracting investment, creating jobs and strengthening national industrial capacity. He described the study as a strategic contribution to Nigeria's quest for economic diversification and sustainable resource development, noting that detailed geological and geophysical investigations remain critical for understanding subsurface structures and guiding exploration activities.
The PTDF boss also called for stronger institutional partnerships and sustained investment in research to bridge the gap between academia, government and industry. "We expect stronger institutional collaboration that will enhance capacity development, strengthen industrial infrastructure and ensure the practical application of research outcomes for national development," he said.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, described academia-industry collaboration as indispensable to Nigeria's development aspirations. He noted that the PTDF-funded project had demonstrated the transformative impact of sustained investment in research and that outcomes from the project could support future policy direction on resource development.
The discovery has been hailed as a potential game-changer for Plateau State and the entire Middle Belt region, which has long been overlooked in Nigeria's hydrocarbon exploration efforts. If further exploration confirms commercial viability, Plateau could join the ranks of Nigeria's oil-producing states, opening new avenues for economic diversification, industrialisation, and revenue generation for both the state and the federation.
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