Abstract <p>Coal samples from selected Nigerian coal mines were analyzed for their combustion performance and kinetics. The combustion characteristics were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis at a constant heating rate of 10°C/min. The relationship between the combustion properties and pore structure was also assessed. The pore structure was studied by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The Arrhenius equation and Coats–Redfern methods were employed to determine the kinetic parameters from the thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry curves. The ignition temperatures were 280, 300 and 320°C for the Inyi, Ogboyega and Ribadu coals, respectively, whereas the combustion indices were –1.43E-9, –3.35E-9, and ‒1.44E-10 for the Inyi, Ogboyega and Ribadu coals, respectively. Compared with coals from other mines, the Ribadu coal has a greater pore surface area at 3.985E+02 m²/g and pore volume at 2.239E-01 cc/g. The results revealed that higher ignition and flammability indices are associated with lower pore surface areas and volumes. The activation energy varied between 15 and 17 kJ/mol when calculated using the Arrhenius method and from 43 to 52 kJ/mol when calculated using the Coats–Redfern method. The Arrhenius model gave higher coefficient values than the Coats–Redfern kinetic model. The activation energies of the tested coals are relatively low, which suggests that they can be utilized in power generation. This study provides necessary information in the evaluation of the tested coals for efficient utilization through combustion.</p>