Lilian Ugwu
Speaking in Abuja, Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Ed Ubong, said the ambitious funding requirement is tied to the development of 16 priority pipeline projects essential for scaling gas supply across the country and beyond.
According to him, while Nigeria has recorded a steady increase in gas production—from 6.8 billion cubic feet per day in 2023 to 7.5 billion cubic feet in 2025—the next phase of growth will depend heavily on infrastructure expansion and sustained investor confidence.
He noted that unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s over 200 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves would require strong public-private partnerships and support from global institutions such as the World Bank.
“The focus now is on execution. We must mobilise financing, deliver pipelines, and ensure gas gets to industries and power plants where it is most needed,” Ubong said.
A major pillar of the strategy is gas-to-power development, seen as critical to addressing Nigeria’s chronic electricity challenges. Despite abundant gas resources, power generation has remained unstable due to supply and infrastructure constraints.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Aliyu Mohammed, stressed that the second phase of the Decade of Gas initiative will prioritise measurable outcomes, including increased production, expanded pipeline networks, and new processing facilities.
He identified key export routes such as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline as strategic to positioning Nigeria as a regional gas hub.
Industry stakeholders say the scale of investment required underscores both the opportunity and urgency facing Nigeria. With over 215 gas demand projects already identified, aligning supply, infrastructure, and financing will be crucial to delivering results.
Beyond exports, the government is also pushing for increased domestic utilisation, including plans to raise liquefied petroleum gas consumption to 3 million tonnes annually by 2030, in a move aimed at reducing reliance on firewood and improving environmental sustainability.
Analysts note that while Nigeria’s gas ambitions are achievable, success will depend on policy consistency, regulatory clarity, and the ability to attract long-term capital in a competitive global energy market.
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to attract an estimated $22 billion investment to bridge critical infrastructure gaps in its gas sector, as the country positions natural gas as the cornerstone of its energy transition and a solution to persistent electricity shortages.
Speaking in Abuja, Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Ed Ubong, said the ambitious funding requirement is tied to the development of 16 priority pipeline projects essential for scaling gas supply across the country and beyond.
According to him, while Nigeria has recorded a steady increase in gas production from 6.8 billion cubic feet per day in 2023 to 7.5 billion cubic feet in 2025, the next phase of growth will depend heavily on infrastructure expansion and sustained investor confidence.
He noted that unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s over 200 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves would require strong public-private partnerships and support from global institutions such as the World Bank.
“The focus now is on execution. We must mobilise financing, deliver pipelines, and ensure gas gets to industries and power plants where it is most needed,” Ubong said.
A major pillar of the strategy is gas-to-power development, seen as critical to addressing Nigeria’s chronic electricity challenges. Despite abundant gas resources, power generation has remained unstable due to supply and infrastructure constraints.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Aliyu Mohammed, stressed that the second phase of the Decade of Gas initiative will prioritise measurable outcomes, including increased production, expanded pipeline networks, and new processing facilities.
He identified key export routes such as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline as strategic to positioning Nigeria as a regional gas hub.
Industry stakeholders say the scale of investment required underscores both the opportunity and urgency facing Nigeria. With over 215 gas demand projects already identified, aligning supply, infrastructure, and financing will be crucial to delivering results.
Beyond exports, the government is also pushing for increased domestic utilisation, including plans to raise liquefied petroleum gas consumption to 3 million tonnes annually by 2030, in a move aimed at reducing reliance on firewood and improving environmental sustainability.
Analysts note that while Nigeria’s gas ambitions are achievable, success will depend on policy consistency, regulatory clarity, and the ability to attract long-term capital in a competitive global energy market.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.