A renowned geologist and former professorial chair of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Ayonma Mode, has made a groundbreaking revelation about oil and gas reserves in the Anambra basin.

Mode revealed that the South-Eastern inland sedimentary basins, specifically the Anambra basin, hold an astonishing 30 trillion cubic feet of untapped oil and gas reserves.

This discovery underscores the immense potential for exploration and extraction in the region, which could significantly impact Nigeria’s energy landscape.

Mode disclosed this on Saturday while speaking on the topic ‘Synoptic Overview of the Hydrocarbon Potential in South-Eastern Nigeria Inland Sedimentary Basins,’ during a ceremony marking the completion of his tenure as PTDF professorial chair in UNN.

Expressing concern that since the discovery of oil in the Niger Delta, much attention had not been given to the South-Eastern inland basins, Mode said, “There is up to 30 trillion cubic of oil and gas in Anambra basin alone.

“The government should give more attention to these unexplored basins to increase the country’s oil and gas reserve.”

Mode urged his successor to consolidate his research on South-Eastern sedimentary inland basins as well as the Niger Delta.

He added, “As I bow out after my tenure of PTDF professorial chair in UNN, I desire that my successor will consolidate on my research in South-Eastern inland basins and Niger Delta.”

The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Mr. Ahmed Aminu, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting quality research in the oil and gas sector through the establishment of professional chairs in universities.

Aminu highlighted the fund’s three core mandates: human capacity development, institutional capacity development, and the acquisition of research and relevant developments in oil and gas.

He emphasised the importance of endowing professional c1hairs to encourage and support cutting-edge research in the industry.

He enthused, “PTDF designs research programmes while endowing professorial chairs in universities.

“The professorial chair in UNN was instituted because of the achievements of the Department of Geology of the university.

“The quality research on oil and gas conducted by the professorial chair in UNN over the years has attested to this.”

Aminu, represented at the occasion by the Manager and Head of Research and Innovation in PTDF, Mr Onamir Abubukar, commended Mode for carrying out quality research on the South-Eastern inland sedimentary basins, especially the Anambra basin, to reveal huge deposits of unexplored oil and gas.

He added, “PTDF will continue to use professorial chairs in universities to encourage and support research on exploration of oil and gas in the country.”

In a remark, a consultant in oil and gas, who chaired the occasion, Mr Abiodun Adesanya, said Mode had contributed much in knowledge sharing on research in oil and gas exploration over the years.

He added, “His presentation today has revealed hydrocarbon potentials in South-Eastern inland sedimentary basins, especially in the Anambra basin.

“His research has showcased and highlighted the need for further work in these basins to explore the oil and gas deposits in them.”

Earlier in a remark, the citing Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof Romanus Ezeokonkwo, thanked PTDF for the continued sustainability of its professorial chair in the Department of Geology of UNN.

He pledged that UNN would continue to collaborate with PTDF to ensure that its vision of instituting a professional chair in the university was achieved.

Punch News -Raphael Ede