International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology Vol. 2 No. 1; January 2015 60 INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS (INAA) OF HIGH RANKING NIGERIAN COALS FROM ENUGU AND OKABA Isaiah Abu Moses (Corresponding Author) 1 Seyi Abiodun Sonloye 2 Ita Okon Bassey. Ewa 3 1 Physics Department, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria 2 Physics Department, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria 3 Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria This research is financed by Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Abstract Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) is based on the principle that stable isotopes become radioactive after exposure to a neutron source. While these isotopes decay, having half-lives varying from seconds to years, they emit γ-radiation of certain energy which is unique in characterizing most elements. The technique was used to analyze high ranking Nigerian coals from Enugu and Okaba. The following elements were detected in both coal samples: Al, Ti, K, Na, V, Mn, Ba, La, Th, Hf, Fe and Cr with Lu, Ta, Rb, Eu, Co present only in Enugu coal while Sc, Br, Yb and U were the elements detected only in Okaba coal. The analysis further showed that Al, Ti, K, Fe and Na were present as major elements for both coal samples. The elements V, Mn, Ba, La, Th, Hf, and Cr are the minor elements while Br, Lu, Ta, Rb, Eu, Yb, Co, and U are the trace elements detected in the work. Potentially toxic elements detected in both coal samples are Ba, V and Cr while U detected in Okaba and Th in both coal samples are radioactive. The result obtained from the analysis confirmed the fact that INAA is a sensitive analytical technique capable of performing both qualitative and quantitative multielemental analysis of major, minor and trace elements in samples. The quantities of some trace elements detected were as low as 3.09 ppm (Co), 0.79 ppm (Ta), and 0.22 ppm (Lu). Keywords: Nigerian coal, Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, Analytical Technique, Detected Elements.