Nigeria Leveraging Gas Reserves to Power Domestic Industrialisation, Expand Export Reach—NNPC

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said the country is activating multiple pathways to transform the nation into a global gas hub.

It stated that efforts are being made to leverage the over 215 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven reserves to power domestic industrialisation and expand export reach.

Speaking at the 2026 Gas Technology and Exhibition Conference (GASTECH) in Thailand, the company’s Executive Vice President for Gas, Power and New Energy, Mr Olalekan Ogunleye, said, “Gas development and monetisation from Nigeria’s standpoint is a purely commercial play.

“NNPC is implementing a Gas Master Plan (GMP) engineered as a gap-to-potential tool to move Nigeria from a 215tcf reserves position to above 600tcf.”

During his presentation titled The New LNG Order: Leadership Strategies for Energy Security and Growth, he explained that the organisation’s focus is hinged on reinforcing coordination, anchored on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Decade of Gas Framework and the GMP, with the near-term target to ramp up national production of gas to 10 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by 2027 and 12 Bcf/d by 2030.

He observed that Nigeria is already a reliable global supplier of gas on a major expansion drive, citing key LNG projects such as Trains 1-6, which produce 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and have exported over 6,000 LNG cargoes since 1999, as well as Train 7, which is due for completion in 2027.

Mr Ogunleye stated that Nigeria’s geographical advantage (well-positioned for the Atlantic Basin and Asian markets) has placed the country as a strategic supplier to global markets, an advantage that is complemented by Nigeria’s substantial gas resource base and a national focus on gas development.

He said Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation and gas for export are not mutually exclusive, as the country has adopted a dual pathway which leverages exports for foreign exchange earnings while advancing domestic gas utilisation to create job opportunities, deepen energy security, and economic wellbeing.

Mr Ogunleye said Nigeria has de-risked new LNG projects through a robust legal and regulatory framework supported by attractive fiscal incentives.

“With continued efforts towards stable security, competitive gas pricing and assured gas supply, there is no better time for investors and financiers to confidently participate in the development of Nigeria’s LNG projects,” he disclosed.