A five-year geological study funded by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and conducted by the University of Jos (UNIJOS) has confirmed the presence of oil and natural gas deposits in parts of Plateau State, Nigeria. The research, which focused on the Shendam Sheet 212 area in the Middle Belt Trough, identified natural gas as the most promising resource, with evidence of crude oil also found in the Langtang North and Langtang South formations.
Research Findings Presented at University of Jos
The findings were presented during the close-out seminar of the PTDF Endowment Professorial Chair in Geology and Mineral Science held at the University of Jos on Thursday, June 26, 2026. Professor Nuhu Kadai Samaila, the Chair Occupant, presented the report titled "Integrated Geological and Geophysical Evaluation of the Shendam Sheet 212, Middle Belt Trough, Nigeria." He stated that the extensive study confirmed geological indicators associated with oil and gas accumulation.
"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 said.
Natural Gas Emerges as Leading Resource
The study indicates that natural gas is more likely to be commercially viable than crude oil in the area. Preliminary geochemical analysis showed that the organic materials were predominantly Type III and Type IV, which are generally associated with natural gas formation rather than oil. However, the research also uncovered evidence of crude oil in the Langtang North and Langtang South formations, with degraded oil observed at the surface, suggesting additional petroleum prospects warranting further investigation.
Samaila called on the PTDF to collaborate with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to conduct seismic surveys that would determine the quantity, quality, and commercial viability of the discovered resources.
Valuable Minerals Beyond Hydrocarbons
Beyond hydrocarbons, the research uncovered other valuable natural resources. The team identified commercially viable barite deposits, an important industrial mineral used in oil drilling, as well as hydrothermal energy resources with the potential to support electricity generation. These discoveries could create new investment opportunities and contribute to Nigeria's efforts to diversify its economy beyond crude oil.
Call for Commercialisation and Investment
Speaking at the event, PTDF Executive Secretary Professor Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, represented by Deputy Manager (Procurement) Mr Dikko Abba, urged Nigerian universities to move beyond academic research and focus on innovations that attract investment and drive industrial growth. He described the UNIJOS project as a major contribution to Nigeria's resource development strategy, stressing that detailed geological investigations remain essential for guiding exploration decisions.
University of Jos Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, praised the collaboration, saying it demonstrated the value of sustained investment in research. He noted that the project had strengthened institutional capacity, encouraged industry partnerships, and laid the foundation for future exploration and commercial application of the findings.
Impact on Nigeria's Energy Sector
The five-year PTDF research is expected to shape future oil and gas exploration activities in Plateau State and other parts of the Benue Trough, potentially opening a new frontier for Nigeria's energy sector. The discovery could transform Plateau State into an oil-producing region, joining the Niger Delta and other areas.
