The Society of Geophysicists and Computational Geoscientists (SGCG) has warned that data hoarding in Nigeria’s geoscience sector is stifling research, discouraging innovation, and preventing young geoscientists from contributing to national development.
Speaking at the SGCG’s second yearly international conference and exhibition, Geo-Spectrum 2025, themed “Advancing Geophysics and Computational Geosciences for a Sustainable Future”, SGCG President, Prof. Aaron Enechojo Auduson, said access to reliable data is critical for resource exploration, analysis, and characterization.
Auduson lamented that, unlike Europe, where companies freely collaborate with universities, Nigerian researchers face severe data restrictions.
“I studied in Europe, where companies provided software, data, and laboratories to support research. But when I returned to Nigeria to apply these tools to Niger Delta studies, I could not continue because the data provided was inconsistent and unreliable. I had to revert to overseas data,” he said.
He revealed that Nigerian hydrocarbon data withheld locally is freely accessible at foreign institutions like the University of Aberdeen.
Auduson urged the National Assembly to legislate that International Oil Companies (IOCs) and independent operators release data for academic use, arguing that confidentiality is not threatened by research.
“Confidential data can be protected, but no one can start drilling because they know field coordinates. Without data, Nigeria loses economically because our strength lies in the resources beneath the earth,” he stressed.
He highlighted geophysics’ wider applications, including detecting subsurface resources, predicting tremors and landslides, groundwater studies, pollution monitoring, and even forensic investigations.
President of the Geological Society of Nigeria (GSN), Malami Uba Saidu, called for a unified national data depository, better data governance, and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms to modernize geoscience practice.
“The National Geological Survey and NUPRC hold huge amounts of data, but they remain scattered and underutilized. We need a clear national data policy and centralized access,” Saidu said, urging partnerships with telecom operators to lower data costs for research.
NUPRC Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, who was the keynote speaker, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a global energy leader.
Represented by Lagos Regional Director, Paul Osu, he emphasized connecting science with policy to unlock Nigeria’s hydrocarbon potential.
Komolafe said the NUPRC’s strategy would focus first on consolidating compliance, strengthening digital oversight, and boosting production recovery between 2025 and 2026.
According to him, by 2030, Nigeria would aim to become Africa’s hub for gas supply, carbon capture, and digital geoscience leadership, and in the long term achieve a balanced energy mix that positions the country as a global reference for sustainable upstream governance.
“Hydrocarbon revenues are still critical to our GDP, but global energy transition demands strategic action. Geophysics and computational sciences are Nigeria’s edge to remain competitive,” Komolafe said.
Representing Lagos State’s Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Olatunbosun Alake, Joshua Awoniyi pledged the state’s readiness to collaborate with geoscientists to unlock subsurface resources for economic growth.
Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Prof. Alile Owens Monday, urged Nigerian geophysicists to showcase their expertise globally.
“It is time to demonstrate what we are capable of. Geophysicists study the earth’s subsurface and provide insights that guide exploration and sustainable development,” he said.
