By Matthew Denis
The President of the Society of Geophysicists and Computational Geoscientists (SGCG), Aaron Enechojo Auduson, warned the government and corporate entities in Nigeria against data hoarding, noting that it is crippling research, discouraging innovation, and limiting the capacity of young geoscientists to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
He raised this alarm during the SGCG second yearly international conference and exhibition tagged Geo-Spectrum 2025, with the theme “Advancing Geophysics and Computational Geosciences for a Sustainable Future.”
While speaking on the theme, Prof. Auduson underscored the importance of access to reliable data, which is critical for exploration, analysis, and characterization of natural resources.
He decried that, unlike Europe, where companies collaborate with universities by providing software, laboratory facilities, and data to advance research, Nigeria continues to frustrate local scientists with restricted access.
“I studied in Europe, where my university in Delft partnered with companies in the UK. One gave me software, another gave me data, and another provided the laboratory where I worked. But when I came to Nigeria and wanted to deploy the same tool for Niger Delta studies, I couldn’t continue because the data provided by a company was inconsistent and unreliable. I had to revert to overseas data,” he said.
According to him, such practices discourage researchers from applying international knowledge locally. He further revealed that while Nigerian hydrocarbon field data is withheld from local researchers, the same data is freely accessible in institutions abroad, such as the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
“This is unacceptable. The National Assembly must rise to the occasion and legislate that International Oil Companies (IOCs) and independent operators in Nigeria release data as part of their corporate social responsibility. Confidentiality is not threatened by academic use of data; nobody can carry a machine and start drilling because they know the coordinates of a field,” Auduson stressed.
Highlighting the broader implications, he noted that geophysics plays a vital role in harnessing subsurface resources such as hydrocarbons, gold, and other minerals. With hydrocarbon exploration shifting offshore and becoming more complex, he said Nigeria urgently needs high-impact and high-resolution technologies to remain competitive.
“From the surface, we cannot see what lies beneath. Geophysics allows us to detect, model, and predict the depth, volume, and viability of subsurface resources. Without accurate data, our economy loses, because our strength lies in the natural resources beneath the earth,” he explained.
The SGCG President also pointed to emerging concerns such as seismic hazards, groundwater studies, pollution monitoring, and even forensic and agricultural applications of geophysics. He argued that Nigeria must embrace computational geoscience to predict tremors, landslides, and other natural hazards, noting that Abuja and Mpape have already experienced minor tremors in recent years.
“Our mandate is to ensure exploration is conducted responsibly and sustainably. Whether for energy, agriculture, environmental monitoring, or even crime investigations, geophysics and computational geoscience provide the tools to safeguard the future,” Auduson said.
On his part, the President of the Geological Society of Nigeria (GSN), Malami Uba Saidu, called for stronger data governance and wider adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms to transform Nigeria’s geoscience practice and resource management.
During his paper presentation, Saidu said advances in AI, numerical modeling, and digital geoscience platforms are already improving exploration accuracy, enabling real-time decision-making, and reducing investment risks globally.
“By integrating geophysical data with computational models, geoscientists can address critical challenges in mineral exploration, hydrocarbon systems, natural hazards, and environmental monitoring. Embracing computational partnerships will not only advance geoscientific practice but also position Nigeria and Africa at the forefront of sustainable resource governance and the global energy transition,” he said.
He noted that while traditional geoscience methods of field observation and measurement laid the foundation for past discoveries, they often suffered from time-consuming processes, uncertainties, and difficulties in integrating diverse datasets.
He stressed that Nigeria’s biggest challenge remains the availability and accessibility of data, calling for a unified national data depository.
On the role of technology, Saidu highlighted that big data, AI, cloud computing, and digital twins are redefining geoscience worldwide, with applications ranging from resource estimation and subsurface modeling to environmental hazard assessments and mining engineering.
He also pointed out challenges, particularly the high cost of geoscience studies and the need for advanced computing power. According to him, students and researchers require intelligent machines capable of handling large-scale data processing such as remote sensing and Earth observation analysis.
He called for partnerships with telecommunications operators to ease data acquisition and advocated for affordable data pricing tailored to academic and research needs. He also recommended improved access to hardware and digital tools for geoscience students to enhance learning and innovation.
The GSN President emphasised that the rapid growth of computational technologies presents both opportunities and challenges for Nigeria, but with proper data governance, investment in tools, and collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers, the country could achieve sustainable growth in its geoscience sector.
In his keynote address, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a global leader in the evolving energy landscape, stressing the critical role of geoscientists in bridging the gap between science and policy.
Komolafe, who was represented by the Director of the Commission’s Lagos Regional Office, Paul Osu, said geoscientists must recognize the essence of policy in driving transformation in the petroleum sector.
“We do not just believe in scientific discovery. We believe in highlighting or connecting science and policy. Because with one statement from the President, the whole dynamics will change,” he said, urging political leaders to embrace the relevance of geology and geoscience in shaping daily life and national development.
Komolafe described the theme of the event as one that aligns with NUPRC’s mandate and Nigeria’s upstream transformation. He likened the global energy landscape to a chessboard where success depends not only on resource endowment but also on foresight, strategy, innovation, and credible governance.
“Hydrocarbon revenues remain a significant part of our GDP, yet the realities of price volatility, OPEC-plus production quotas, and the accelerating global energy transition demand that we act strategically. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is our foundational framework to reposition Nigeria not as a follower, but as a leader,” he noted.
The Commission chief highlighted three forces reshaping global energy: geopolitical shifts, technological disruption including artificial intelligence, big data, and remote sensing, and sustainability imperatives driving investment decisions.
Outlining NUPRC’s roadmap, Komolafe said: “Short term (2025–2026): Consolidate compliance, strengthen digital oversight, and incentivize production recovery. Medium term (2026–2030): Position Nigeria as Africa’s hub for gas supply, carbon capture and storage, and digital geoscience leadership. Long term (beyond 2030): Achieve a balanced energy mix, safeguard legacy wells, and make Nigeria a global reference for sustainable upstream governance.”
“With the petroleum industry as our compass, NUPRC’s regulatory strategies as our tactical moves, and geophysics and computational sciences as our edge, Nigeria will not remain a pawn on the global energy chessboard. We will stand tall as a leader, shaping outcomes for Africa and the world,” Komolafe declared.
In his address, the Lagos State Commissioner of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Olatunbosun Alake, expressed readiness to partner with geoscientists in harnessing subsurface resources for the benefit of the State and the nation at large.
The Director for Science Policy Program Promotion at the Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Joshua Awoniyi, who represented the Commissioner, emphasised the critical role of science in solving diverse societal challenges.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Prof. Alile Owens Monday, urged Nigerian geophysicists to showcase their expertise to the world.
“It is time for us to demonstrate what we are capable of and let the whole world know that experts are available here in Nigeria, in Africa. What is happening elsewhere is also happening here. Geophysicists study the earth’s subsurface from the surface, using principles of physics and geophysics, providing pictorial views that guide exploration and development,” Monday said.