The Benue State Steering Committee on Coal, Coalbed Methane and Allied Resources has rediscovered a 57-year-old abandoned oil well at Okwuji in Apa Local Government Area of the state.
The discovery was made on Thursday, August 20, 2026, during the committee’s ongoing assessment of the state’s mineral and hydrocarbon resources. Officials and security personnel visited the site, where the old well head remains visible amid vegetation and earthworks.
According to the announcement, exploration of the oil deposit is expected to commence on or before December 2026. Further details on the findings and planned activities are expected to be released in due course.
The development has been described as another significant step in the state’s efforts to unlock its hydrocarbon potential.
