| Title | Unlocking Nigeria’s Geothermal Energy Potential: Insights from High-Resolution Aeromagnetic and Aero-Radiometric Data |
|---|---|
| Authors | Chigozie Ikechukwu |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Nigeria, Geothermal energy potential, Aeromagnetic data, Aero-radiometric data, Curie Point Depth (CPD), Geothermal Gradient, Heat Flow, Radiogenic Heat Production, Benue Trough, Younger Granite Provinces, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7 & SDG 13) |
| Abstract | Nigeria’s pursuit of clean energy solutions to meet growing demand and align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 13: Climate Action) has spotlighted geothermal energy as a strategic resource. This study evaluates the geothermal energy potential over parts of North-Central, North-Eastern, and Southern Nigeria using high-resolution aeromagnetic and aero-radiometric data (1:100,000 scale) acquired at 150 m line spacing, 50 m ground clearance, and 1,500 m tie-line separation. Spectral inversion via the centroid method was applied to estimate Curie point depth (CPD), geothermal gradient, and heat flow, while radiogenic heat production (RHP) was derived from aero-radiometric data. Key findings reveal a shallow CPD (4.41–6.60 km; avg. 5.43 km), exceptionally high geothermal gradients (92.01–131.45°C/km; avg. 107.57°C/km), and heat flow values (230.02–328.63 mW/m²; avg. 268.93 mW/m²), exceeding typical continental crust values. Radiogenic heat production ranged from -0.0000209 to 0.0455 µW/m³ (avg. 0.002072 µW/m³), indicating minor but non-negligible crustal contributions. These results highlight Nigeria’s geothermal viability, particularly in rift-influenced zones like the Benue Trough and Younger Granite provinces, where high heat flow and shallow heat sources suggest potential for both power generation and direct-use applications. This study provides a foundational assessment to guide targeted exploration, policy formulation, and investment in Nigeria’s geothermal sector, supporting the nation’s transition to sustainable energy. |