By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources, and among its hidden gems is bitumen, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon widely used in road construction and industrial applications.
The country’s bitumen deposits form a belt stretching across Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, and Edo states, with varying sizes and economic potential.
Ondo State
Ondo State is the powerhouse of Nigeria’s bitumen industry.
Areas such as Agbabu and Irele hold the country’s largest deposits, estimated at 42.74 billion metric tonnes, making it the second-largest bitumen reserve in the world.
These reserves are commercially viable and have enormous potential to boost local industries, infrastructure development, and Nigeria’s economy.
Ogun State
Ogun State also forms part of the bitumen belt, mainly along its coastal regions.
While the deposits here are smaller than in Ondo, they still contribute to Nigeria’s overall bitumen resources.
With strategic development, Ogun could become a supplementary hub for bitumen extraction and related industrial activities.
Lagos State
Lagos, Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, hosts traces of bitumen in areas like Epe and Badagry. Though these deposits are limited and not commercially exploited, they present opportunities for future exploration, especially given Lagos’ proximity to major markets and ports.
Edo State
Edo State rounds out the bitumen belt, particularly in its southwestern regions.
These deposits are small and largely unexplored, but they add to the potential for regional development if properly harnessed.
The Economic Promise of Nigeria’s Bitumen Belt
The bitumen belt across these four states represents a strategic national asset.
Fully harnessing these resources could reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported bitumen, support infrastructure projects, create jobs, and stimulate industrial growth.
While Ondo remains the main commercial hub, Ogun, Lagos, and Edo offer promising opportunities for future exploration and investment.
Nigeria’s bitumen story is just beginning, and with proper planning and investment, this resource belt could become a cornerstone of the nation’s industrial and economic development.