An earth tremor that shook parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has prompted the federal government to activate enhanced seismic monitoring across the nation’s capital, with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development ordering hourly updates from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency.
The NGSA’s Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako detected the tremor on Tuesday at exactly 11:23:27 a.m. The agency confirmed the earth movement originated from a depth of one kilometer and travelled four kilometers within five seconds, registering as a light seismic event.
The agency classified the incident as “a light event of I to II magnitude on the Mercalli scale,” indicating it was too weak to cause structural damage to buildings or infrastructure across the affected parts of the capital.
The NGSA stated that the tremor was “a characteristic feature of a surface earth tremor that poses no threat to lives and properties except for the discomfort of the shake and fear of possible destruction,” according to the official statement issued Wednesday.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directed the NGSA to provide him with hourly updates on seismic developments around Abuja for continuous assessment and possible escalation to other relevant government agencies following the incident.
Alake issued the directive from Washington, D.C., where he was holding meetings with American investors on joint venture opportunities in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. His Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, released a statement on Wednesday confirming the directive.
The minister also urged residents not to panic, assuring them that government agencies were closely monitoring the situation and had already deployed proactive measures to safeguard lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory.
“Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake has directed the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency to provide hourly updates of the seismic developments around Abuja, the Federal Capital, to him for regular review and possible escalation to other relevant agencies,” the statement disclosed.
The statement added that the NGSA Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako recorded the tremor at exactly 11:23:27 a.m., noting that it originated from a one-kilometer depth and spread across a distance of four kilometers in five seconds.
Alake directed the agency to intensify surveillance of seismic activities in and around the Federal Capital Territory. The minister also ordered the NGSA to submit hourly reports on any fresh seismic developments for his review and, where necessary, onward communication to other relevant agencies.
The minister reassured residents there was no cause for anxiety, stating that the agency would continue to monitor the situation while residents went about their daily activities without disruption or fear of escalation.
Nigeria experiences occasional low-intensity earth tremors despite lying outside the world’s major earthquake zones. The NGSA operates a network of seismic monitoring stations across the country to detect and analyze such events and provide early scientific assessments to guide emergency response and public communication.
Isolated earth tremors have been recorded in parts of the country over the years, including in Abuja, Kaduna, Kogi, Oyo, and Bayelsa states. Experts have consistently noted that most of these events are minor and rarely result in significant damage to structures or human life, though they can cause widespread public alarm when felt in densely populated urban centers such as the capital.
The NGSA is Nigeria’s foremost geoscience agency, responsible for geological mapping, mineral exploration, geophysical surveys, and seismic monitoring across the country. Through its network of seismic stations, the agency tracks earth movements and provides scientific assessments to support disaster preparedness.
The activation of the 24-hour Abuja seismic watch and the NGSA’s continued monitoring of earth tremor activity in the Federal Capital Territory remain ongoing as the federal government channels updates through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
