Prof. Ayonma Mode, a distinguished geologist and former professorial chair of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has unveiled a significant discovery regarding oil and gas reserves in the Anambra basin.
In a groundbreaking revelation, Mode disclosed that the Anambra basin in the South-Eastern inland sedimentary basins holds an impressive 30 trillion cubic feet of untapped oil and gas reserves.
This revelation highlights the vast potential for exploration and extraction in the region, with the potential to have a substantial impact on Nigeria’s energy sector.
Speaking at an event commemorating the completion of his tenure as the PTDF professorial chair at UNN, Mode shared this discovery during his presentation on ‘Synoptic Overview of the Hydrocarbon Potential in South-Eastern Nigeria Inland Sedimentary Basins.’
Expressing concern over the lack of attention given to the South-Eastern inland basins since the discovery of oil in the Niger Delta, Mode emphasized, “There is up to 30 trillion cubic feet of oil and gas in the Anambra basin alone.”
He urged the government to prioritize exploration in these basins to enhance the country’s oil and gas reserves.
Mode encouraged his successor to build upon his research on South-Eastern sedimentary inland basins and the Niger Delta.
As he concluded his tenure as the PTDF professorial chair at UNN, Mode expressed his hope that his successor would continue and expand on his research in these areas.
The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Mr. Ahmed Aminu, reiterated the organization’s commitment to advancing quality research in the oil and gas sector by establishing professional chairs in universities.
Aminu outlined the three core mandates of the fund: human capacity development, institutional capacity development, and research acquisition in oil and gas.
He stressed the importance of endowing professional chairs to foster and support cutting-edge research within the industry.
He stated, “PTDF designs research programs while supporting professorial chairs in universities.
“The professorial chair at UNN was established in recognition of the Department of Geology’s accomplishments at the university.
“The impactful research on oil and gas conducted by the professorial chair at UNN over the years stands as a testament to this.”
Represented by the Manager and Head of Research and Innovation at PTDF, Mr. Onamir Abubukar, Aminu commended Mode for conducting quality research on the South-Eastern inland sedimentary basins, particularly the Anambra basin, revealing substantial untapped oil and gas reserves.
He added, “PTDF will continue to utilize professorial chairs in universities to promote and support research on oil and gas exploration in the country.”
During the event, Mr. Abiodun Adesanya, an oil and gas consultant who chaired the occasion, praised Mode for his significant contributions to knowledge sharing in oil and gas exploration research over the years.
He remarked, “Today’s presentation by Mode has shed light on the hydrocarbon potentials in South-Eastern inland sedimentary basins, particularly in the Anambra basin.
“His research has underscored the necessity for further exploration work in these basins to tap into the oil and gas reserves they hold.”
In an earlier statement, Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of UNN, expressed gratitude to PTDF for the ongoing support of its professorial chair in the Department of Geology at UNN.
He affirmed UNN’s commitment to collaborating with PTDF to realize the vision of establishing a professional chair at the university.