Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) says it is activating multiple pathways aimed at transforming Nigeria into a global gas hub.
NNPC Ltd.’s Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye disclosed this on Monday, while speaking at the 2026 Gas Technology & Exhibition Conference (GASTECH), taking place in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ogunleye, who spoke on a panel themed: “The New LNG Order: Leadership Strategies for Energy Security and Growth” said as geopolitics, conflict and other factors continue to affect global energy supply and demand, Nigeria is leveraging its over 215 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven reserves to power domestic industrialization and expand export reach.
“Gas development and monetisation from Nigeria’s standpoint is a purely commercial play. NNPC Ltd. 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,” Ogunleye stated.
He explained that the Company’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.
Ogunleye 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 has exported over 6,000 LNG cargoes since 1999, as well as Train 7 which is due for completion in 2027.
He said 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 utilization to create job opportunities, deepen energy security, and economic wellbeing.
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,” Ogunleye concluded.
GASTECH is the world’s largest exhibition and conference focused on natural gas, LNG, hydrogen and low-carbon solutions. Now in its 54th edition, the conference brings together about 50,000 participants from over 150 countries ranging from energy experts, CEOs, policymakers, investors and technology leaders to discuss the future of energy security, LNG supply, infrastructure investment and decarbonisation