- Maximising Nigeria’s coal deposits could fast-track industrialisation and boost employment.
- Modern technologies ensure coal exploration can be clean, safe, and environmentally sustainable.
Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, former Nigerian Consul for Immigration, Trade, and Investment in New York, has called for maximising Nigeria’s coal deposits to boost industrial growth.
He explained that coal development could drive industrialisation, expand power generation, and increase national wealth. According to him, Nigeria must diversify its energy mix instead of depending solely on hydropower and renewables.
Ambassador Nicholas Ella, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, said modern exploration technologies make coal cleaner and safer. Therefore, Nigeria has no reason to leave its large coal reserves untapped.
He revealed that he and his partners are leading a campaign to promote the maximisation of Nigeria’s coal deposits for economic transformation. Coal exploration can add significant value to Nigeria’s energy, gas, and manufacturing sectors when correctly managed.
He further noted that the country’s coal belt covers several states, including Enugu, Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba. This wide coverage offers substantial potential for job creation and industrial expansion.
“By adopting new technologies,” he said, “we can attract investors, create employment, and ensure energy sufficiency.” He also stressed that modern methods now reduce the environmental impact of coal exploration.
Ella observed that countries like China still use coal effectively while maintaining sustainable growth. Hence, Nigeria can leverage its low-sulphur coal to achieve similar success.
He added that talks are ongoing with agencies such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Ministries of Petroleum and Solid Minerals. These discussions, he explained, aim to improve coordination in coal development projects.
In his words, coal remains vital to Nigeria’s energy diversification plan and could become a strong foundation for industrial progress.