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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has outlined a multi-pronged strategy aimed at transforming Nigeria into a major global gas hub while leveraging the country’s vast gas resources to drive industrialisation, energy security and economic growth.
The company’s Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, disclosed this on Monday while speaking at the 2026 Gas Technology and Exhibition Conference (GASTECH) in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ogunleye, who spoke during a panel session themed, “The New LNG Order: Leadership Strategies for Energy Security and Growth,” said Nigeria was well positioned to expand its role in the global gas market, given its substantial reserves and strategic location.
According to him, Nigeria has over 215 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven gas reserves, with the NNPC’s Gas Master Plan designed to unlock significantly more of the country’s potential and move reserves beyond 600 tcf.
He said the company’s immediate targets include increasing national gas production to 10 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by 2027 and 12 Bcf/d by 2030.
Ogunleye explained that the strategy is anchored on stronger coordination under the Petroleum Industry Act, the Decade of Gas Framework and the Gas Master Plan, with emphasis on both domestic utilisation and export expansion.
He noted that Nigeria’s gas strategy was not limited to exports, stressing that increased domestic utilisation would support industrialisation, create jobs, strengthen energy security and improve economic opportunities for Nigerians.
Nigeria already maintains a significant presence in the global LNG market. Ogunleye cited the Nigeria LNG facility’s first six trains, which collectively produce about 22 million tonnes per annum and have exported more than 6,000 LNG cargoes since 1999.
He added that Train 7, currently under development, is expected to be completed in 2027, further strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to participate in the expanding global LNG market.
According to him, Nigeria’s geographical position gives it access to both the Atlantic Basin and Asian markets, while its gas reserves provide a strong resource base for expansion.
Ogunleye also said the country had taken steps to make new LNG investments more attractive through an improved legal and regulatory framework, including fiscal incentives designed to reduce investment barriers.
He, however, identified security, competitive gas pricing and reliable gas supply as important factors that must remain central to the development of the sector.
“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 said.
The NNPC executive said the objective was to build a gas sector capable of serving both Nigeria’s domestic development needs and the international market, positioning natural gas as a major driver of the country’s next phase of economic growth.
The 2026 GASTECH conference, one of the major global gatherings for the gas, LNG, hydrogen and low-carbon energy industries, brought together energy executives, policymakers, investors and technology leaders from around the world to deliberate on energy security, infrastructure investment, supply and the future of global energy.
