Nigeria’s gas production rises to 7.5bcf/d

The Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr. Ed Ubong, has unveiled that Nigeria’s gas production rose from approximately 6.8 billion cubic feet per day in 2023 to 7.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2025.

Speaking at the Decade of Gas and World Bank Ministerial Roundtable and workshop, Ed Ubong attributed the growth to strong collaboration among government institutions, regulators, investors, and industry players.

He stated that the country has reaffirmed its ambition to significantly scale up gas production and deepen regional energy cooperation, with a target of delivering up to 12 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas per day into the market by 2030.

He underscored the importance of collaboration among African nations, development partners, and private investors in unlocking the continent’s gas potential.

Speaking in Abuja, Ubong acknowledged the presence of African leaders and stakeholders, including the ministers from across the continent, representatives of the World Bank, and sponsors of the Decade of Gas’ secretariat.

He also recognised key regulators such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Chairman of PiCNG, and more than 60 project sponsors participating in the event.

According to him, the stakeholders are expected to play a pivotal role in advancing funding discussions, particularly with the World Bank, to accelerate gas infrastructure and development projects across Africa.

Ubong outlined the objectives of the roundtable, noting that the session would feature presentations on Africa’s gas landscape, including insights from global consulting firm McKinsey, followed by workshop discussions focused on collaboration between the World Bank and project sponsors.

The event also includes thematic sessions aimed at identifying practical strategies for efficient gas transportation across the continent to meet growing energy demands.

Tracing the origins of Nigeria’s current gas drive, Ubong recalled that the Federal Government declared 2021 to 2030 as the “Decade of Gas,” marking a strategic shift toward gas as a central pillar of the country’s energy mix.

He noted that President Bola Tinubu has consistently championed gas as a driver of economic growth under the vision of “Gas for Nigeria’s Prosperity,” while the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) continues to engage stakeholders to strengthen the value chain.

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He explained that a dedicated Secretariat was fully established in 2023 to coordinate implementation, focusing on unlocking Nigeria’s vast gas reserves, stimulating demand through credible off-takers, expanding infrastructure, ensuring competitive pricing, and building human capacity across the sector.

Ubong identified gas-to-power and the expansion of domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) usage as two priority areas. He said the gas-to-power initiative is aimed at improving electricity supply, while increased LPG adoption seeks to replace firewood and charcoal, thereby improving public health and environmental sustainability.

He added that several upstream operators have taken Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) on major gas projects, with additional investments expected in the near future, signalling sustained momentum in the sector.

To enhance coordination, Ubong revealed that over 215 gas demand projects are currently tracked within  NMDPRA centralised database, enabling more efficient planning and execution.

The coordinator stressed that accountability mechanisms have also been strengthened, with stakeholders monitored on project delivery and progress.

“We continue to ask a critical questions across the ecosystem—what support is required to move projects forward and unlock value for Nigeria?” he said.

Ubong further explained that a structured governance framework has been adopted, bringing together government agencies, regulators, and industry leaders at the executive level, supported by technical workstreams to ensure consistent implementation.

Looking beyond Nigeria, he said the country is positioning itself as a catalyst for a regional gas ecosystem across West Africa. He stressed that achieving this vision would require alignment among countries on supply strategies, demand projections, and infrastructure development.

He highlighted the need for gas pipelines capable of bidirectional flow to enhance flexibility and reliability, noting that projects such as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline would play a transformative role in connecting regional markets.

On infrastructure, Ubong disclosed that Nigeria has identified 16 critical pipeline projects requiring an estimated $22 billion in investment, emphasising the need for robust public-private partnerships to deliver them.

He also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that efforts are underway to curb gas flaring as production increases, in line with global environmental standards.

The power sector, he said, remains central to the gas agenda, requiring close coordination among key ministries, including Power and Finance, as well as industry operators to ensure reliable electricity supply.

On domestic consumption, Ubong said Nigeria plans to increase LPG usage from 1.8 million tonnes per annum to 3 million tonnes by 2030. As part of this strategy, over five million gas cylinders are expected to be distributed nationwide to encourage the transition to cleaner cooking energy.

He concluded that while significant progress has been made over the past three years, sustained collaboration remains critical to achieving Nigeria’s gas ambitions and broader energy security goals.

“This platform provides an opportunity to deepen partnerships, strengthen regional cooperation, and accelerate delivery,” Ubong said. “Africa’s energy future depends on our ability to work together across borders, institutions, and value chains to achieve shared prosperity.”

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