Economy
Nigeria Exports 43% of Total Gas Produced as Reserves Hit 202TCF
By Dipo Olowookere
Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Maikanti Baru, has disclosed that the nation’s current proven gas reserves stand at about 202 trillion cubic feet (TCF), up from initial figure of 199TCF with a potential for up to 600TCF in undiscovered resources.
Speaking at the 11th Nigerian Gas Association International Conference & Exhibition, the NNPC chief said based on these numbers, Nigeria had almost 10 times the Trinidadian reserves base and is 9th in the world based on proven gas reserves, saying, with the undiscovered potential, Nigeria could be in the same league as Iran, Qatar, and Russia.
In terms of production, the NNPC GMD informed that current average gas production is in the region of 8.5bscfd.
According to him, of this volume, about 3.7bscfd (43 percent of total gas production) is exported, 2.7bscfd (32 percent of total gas production) is used upstream for gas re-injection/gas-lift, 1.5bscfd (18 percent of total gas production) is used domestically for power and industries, while the balance of 0.6 bscfd (7 percent of total gas production) is currently being flared
Mr Baru said the country had significantly increased domestic gas supply and had reformed the commercial framework for gas by reviewing the domestic gas price to export parity and developed World class standardized gas supply agreements.
It was further disclosed that in order to optimise the nation’s vast gas resources, a contract has been sealed between NNPC and a private firm for the activation of virtual gas pipeline network for power generation.
The project, which would be facilitated through the installation of Mini-LNG plants, is designed to supply, in the first instance, about 84 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscf/d) by transporting gas from production fields using customized cryogenic tankers to areas that are not easily accessible through pipelines.
Mr Baru stated that the innovative gas supply technique would also further develop Nigeria’s energy sector and consequently help revitalize the manufacturing, textile and housing sectors through provision of the much needed affordable energy source.
The NNPC GMD noted that attainment of effective gas penetration was key to enhancing industrial growth of the transit towns and villages.
He said this was in tandem with the objectives of the current administration’s Economic Growth Recovery Plan (ERGP) which in part aims to accelerate non-oil revenues, improve transportation infrastructure, drive industrialisation, stabilise macroeconomic environment, achieve agriculture and food sufficiency and ensure energy sufficiency.
The GMD noted that, going forward NNPC had developed a clear cut strategy for growing gas supply to meet the unprecedented growth in gas demand through, namely: completion of the short term gas supply projects, Incremental supply from Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Oredo, Utorogu and Odidi re-entry projects. He said upon completion, the projects would deliver about 240mmscfd of gas to the domestic market by Q4 2018.
The NNPC GMD said the corporation had made massive investments in the promotion of the usage of cooking gas with the revamp of the eight (8) LPG Butanization plants in Apapa, Ibadan, Oshogbo, Enugu, Ilorin, Gombe, Makurdi and Kano.
“Our plan is to connect all the stations through pipelines to bring Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) closer to consumers,” he said.
The GMD called on members of NGA to join forces with the NNPC and other stakeholders to ensure complete attainment of the Federal Government’s aspiration for the gas sub-sector.
Earlier in his welcome address, NGA President, Engr. Dada Thomas emphasized the need for Nigeria to achieve optimization of its enormous gas resources through constructive engagements with stakeholders across value chain.
He explained that NGA would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to attain this central objective in the years and decades ahead.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, has said ongoing reforms and strategic policy implementation in Nigeria’s petroleum sector are driving significant investments and strengthening the country’s position as a leading energy destination in Africa.
Mr Lokpobiri stated this at the Management Retreat of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, where he stressed the need for improved institutional performance and accountability to sustain growth in the sector.
According to the Minister, the federal government has deliberately pursued far-reaching reforms aimed at creating a stable and investor-friendly environment capable of attracting local and foreign capital into the oil and gas industry.
“From far-reaching institutional reforms to the effective implementation of strategic policies, we have remained committed to carrying all stakeholders along, fostering a conducive environment for investments to flourish,” Mr Lokpobiri said.
“As a result, our petroleum sector has witnessed significant investments that continue to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading energy destination.”
The Minister noted that the gains recorded in the sector were the product of collective efforts across the Ministry and its agencies, commending staff for their dedication and professionalism.
“The Management Retreat of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources provided an important platform to reiterate that these accomplishments would not have been possible without the collective dedication, professionalism and teamwork of every staff member across the Ministry and its agencies,” he stated.
Mr Lokpobiri said the retreat, themed Driving Institutional Performance and Accountability in the Petroleum Sector for Sustainable National Development, underscored the importance of continuous improvement in service delivery and operational efficiency.
Drawing lessons from the theme, he urged officials of the Ministry and regulatory agencies to intensify efforts toward enhancing institutional effectiveness and strengthening governance frameworks.
“I encouraged that we must redouble our efforts, continuously improve the quality of our services, and strengthen institutional performance,” he said.
The Minister further emphasised the continued relevance of fossil fuels in the global energy mix, stressing that Nigeria must leverage its hydrocarbon resources to drive economic growth while ensuring citizens benefit from ongoing reforms.
“With fossil fuel as the dominant source of energy, we must ensure that Nigerians experience the benefits of our progress and that Nigeria remains the preferred investment destination in Africa and a globally competitive hub for energy investments,” Mr Lokpobiri added.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The N3.2 billion rights issue of Universal Insurance Plc has been extended by almost two weeks after securing regulatory approval.
The exercise was earlier scheduled to close on June 10, 2026, but will now close on Monday, June 22, 2026.
The extension was granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after a request from the underwriting organisation.
In the rights issue, Universal Insurance is offering to shareholders 2,666,666,667 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N1.20 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing six ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Subscription for the acquisition of the company’s extra shares opened on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
The extension gives investors more time to increase their stake in the insurance firm, which intends to use proceeds from the exercise to boost its capital base, as mandated by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).
Insurance companies operating in Nigeria have been given till July 31, 2026, to shore up their capital base or pack up. Operators can also explore a merger if they wish.
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited opened its doors to market participants in four days last week as a result of a public holiday observed on Friday, June 12, for 2026 Democracy Day in the country.
In the week, investors bought and sold 4.964 billion shares worth N207.521 billion in 235,966 deals, as against the 3.966 billion shares valued at N175.659 billion that exchanged hands in 343,587 deals a week earlier.
Analysis showed that the financial services industry led the activity chart with 4.116 billion shares valued at N84.607 billion in 96,165 deals, contributing 82.92 per cent and 40.77 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.
The services sector transacted 232.479 million shares worth N4.955 billion in 17,614 deals, while the industrial goods segment exchanged 144.988 million shares worth N39.077 billion in 24,775 deals.
Sterling Holdings, FCMB, and Access Holdings were the most traded stocks with 2.883 billion units sold for N36.188 billion in 15,533 deals, accounting for 58.09 per cent and 17.44 per cent of the total trading volume and value, respectively.
A total of 40 equities appreciated in the week versus 23 equities in the previous week, 53 equities depreciated versus 65 equities a week earlier, and 53 equities remained unchanged versus 58 equities in the preceding week.
ABC Transport was the best-performing equity for the week after it gained 25.60 per cent to trade at N7.80, Consolidated Hallmark appreciated by 23.13 per cent to N8.25, Abbey Mortgage Bank rose by 21.93 per cent to N11.40, Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank grew by 20.32 per cent to N11.25, and Austin Laz soared by 15.16 per cent to N4.33.
The worst-performing equity last week was Fidson Healthcare because of its 25.86 per cent loss, closing at N101.20. Neimeth declined by 19.14 per cent to N8.55, Union Homes REIT shed 17.36 per cent to close at N70.00, SUNU Assurances slipped by 11.38 per cent to N3.97, and Unilever Nigeria dropped 10.26 per cent to trade at N140.00.
As for the index movement, the All-Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalisation chalked up 0.88 per cent each to settle at 244,738.74 points and N156.970 trillion, respectively.
Similarly, all other indices finished higher apart from the pension, AFR Bank Value, MERI Growth, MERI Value, consumer goods, Lotus II, industrial goods, sovereign bond and commodity indices, which fell by 0.03 per cent, 1.20 per cent, 0.21 per cent, 1.61 per cent, 0.54 per cent, 0.51 per cent, 1.00 per cent, 2.04 per cent and 0.34 per cent, respectively.
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