Nigeria’s ambition to position natural gas as the cornerstone of its energy transition is gaining momentum, with production rising steadily and long-term targets set to transform the country’s energy landscape.
According to the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr. Ed Ubong, gas output has increased from about 6.8 billion cubic feet per day in 2023 to 7.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2025.
Ubong disclosed this in Abuja during the Decade of Gas and World Bank Ministerial Roundtable, where stakeholders from government, industry, and development partners gathered to chart the future of gas development across Nigeria and the continent.
He expressed optimism that production could reach 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, provided ongoing reforms, investments, and collaborations are sustained.
The push is anchored on Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Initiative, a strategic programme designed to unlock the country’s vast gas reserves and drive industrial growth, power generation, and cleaner energy adoption.
Ubong credited the recent growth to improved synergy among regulators, investors, and stakeholders across the energy value chain, noting that collaboration has been key to progress.
He also emphasized the importance of partnerships across borders, stating that Africa’s energy future depends on coordinated efforts to develop infrastructure and harmonize markets.
To support this vision, Nigeria is focusing on expanding gas-to-power projects and increasing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) usage as alternatives to traditional biomass fuels like firewood and charcoal.
Ubong revealed that Nigeria plans to grow LPG consumption from 1.8 million tonnes to 3 million tonnes annually by 2030, alongside the distribution of over five million gas cylinders nationwide to encourage adoption.
He further disclosed that more than 215 gas demand projects are currently being tracked through a centralized database to improve planning, transparency, and accountability.
On infrastructure, Ubong said Nigeria has identified 16 priority pipeline projects requiring an estimated $22 billion in funding, stressing the need for strong public-private partnerships and support from institutions such as the World Bank.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Aliyu Mohammed, called for deeper regional collaboration to unlock Africa’s gas potential.
He explained that the next phase of the Decade of Gas initiative would focus on execution, with emphasis on increased production, infrastructure expansion, and investment inflows.
Mohammed highlighted key export routes, including the Africa Atlantic Gas Pipeline, the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline, and LNG infrastructure along the Gulf of Guinea, as critical to positioning Nigeria as a regional gas hub.
He stressed the need for harmonized regulations, credible demand data, and sustainable financing models to unlock cross-border gas trade and ensure reliable supply.
Nigeria, which holds over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, is seeking to leverage the resource to address persistent power shortages, drive industrialisation, and support cleaner energy use.
However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, pricing constraints, and limited domestic demand continue to slow full-scale exploitation of the sector.
With sustained reforms, investment, and regional cooperation, stakeholders believe Nigeria can translate its vast gas potential into tangible economic growth and energy security.