Nigeria not prone to earthquakes, geological agency allays fears
August 13, 2026 8:14 pm
The Director-General of the NGSA, Prof. Olusegun Ige.
The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that the earth tremor recorded in parts of Abuja on August 4 has completely subsided, with no evidence of an ongoing seismic threat, saying Nigeria is not prone to earthquakes.
The Director-General of the NGSA, Prof. Olusegun Ige, gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Lara Owoeye-Wise.
According to Ige, the agency’s seismic monitoring station in Utako recorded the tremor at 11:23:27am on August 4.
He said the event lasted about five seconds and originated from a depth of less than one kilometre, describing it as a “low-energy, transient micro-event” characterised by low amplitude and very short duration.
“Our message to residents of Abuja is clear: there is no cause for alarm. The tremor was a very low-energy, isolated event, and our monitoring has confirmed that the seismic activity has completely subsided. Nigeria is not prone to earthquakes,” he said.
The development followed a directive by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, for the NGSA to provide hourly updates on seismic developments around Abuja after the tremor was recorded.
Ige said the agency continued monitoring the area for more than five days after the incident, with waveform records showing only baseline seismic noise and no evidence of continuing tremor activity.
The NGSA also carried out physical assessments at locations where the tremor was reportedly felt, including the Defence Intelligence Agency facility at Mambila Barracks, Asokoro, the NNPC Towers and selected buildings within the Central Business District.
The agency said the inspections found no structural damage, injuries or serious discomfort attributable to the tremor.
“We have combined instrumental monitoring with physical assessment on the ground. The evidence before us shows that there is no ongoing seismic threat and no structural damage arising from this event,” Ige stated.
The agency explained that preliminary geological analysis suggested that the tremor could have resulted from the release of accumulated stresses within the earth’s crust through existing geological structures.
Ige noted that although Nigeria is not located on an active major tectonic plate boundary, geological stresses could occasionally be released through existing fault systems, resulting in localised seismic events.
He, however, stressed that the characteristics of the August 4 tremor did not indicate a destructive earthquake.
“The fact that a tremor was felt does not mean that a destructive earthquake is imminent. What matters is the nature and energy of the event. In this case, the energy released was extremely low and insufficient to cause structural failure or trigger secondary hazards,” he said.
The DG said the agency’s conclusion was based on both scientific data and physical assessments carried out after the incident.
“We want Nigerians to see that our assurance is based on evidence. The instruments recorded the event, our experts analysed the data, our field team inspected the affected locations, and we have continued to monitor the situation,” he added.
Despite allaying fears over the Abuja tremor, the agency said the incident highlighted the need to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to monitor seismic activity and manage geological hazards.
It called for the expansion of the national seismic monitoring network, improved logistics and funding, and the deployment of appropriate monitoring equipment at major mining and quarrying sites.
The NGSA urged residents to rely on verified information from the agency and other competent authorities on seismic and geological hazards.
It advised anyone who observes unusual ground vibrations or has concerns about seismic activity to contact its emergency line on 09139442811.
Damilola Aina is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over five years of experience covering energy, business, investment, infrastructure, and property sectors. He specializes in producing well-researched and insightful reports that inform readers and provide clarity on complex topics. Damilola’s work demonstrates practical newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a strong commitment to accurate and engaging journalism.
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