Nigeria is accelerating its efforts to position natural gas as a key driver of the country’s energy transition, with production rising steadily in recent years. Figures show daily output increased from 6.8 billion cubic feet (bcf) in 2023 to 7.5 bcf in 2025.
Mr. Ed Ubong, Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, said the government aims to reach 12 bcf per day by 2030 if current reforms and investments continue. He made the remarks at a ministerial roundtable organized by the Decade of Gas initiative and the World Bank, which brought together government officials, investors, and development partners.
Ubong credited the growth to stronger collaboration among regulators, investors, and industry players. “Nigeria has reaffirmed its ambition to scale up gas production, and reaching 12 bcf daily is within sight with continued partnership and investment,” he said.
The Decade of Gas initiative, launched in 2021, seeks to unlock Nigeria’s vast gas reserves and drive economic growth. The secretariat, established in 2023, coordinates efforts to expand infrastructure, stimulate demand, ensure competitive pricing, and build local capacity. Over 215 gas demand projects are currently being tracked to improve planning and delivery.
Gas-to-power and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) expansion are central to Nigeria’s domestic energy strategy. Ubong highlighted plans to raise LPG consumption from 1.8 million tonnes per year to 3 million tonnes by 2030, supported by distributing over five million gas cylinders nationwide.
On infrastructure, Nigeria has identified 16 priority pipeline projects requiring around $22 billion in funding. Ubong noted that robust public-private partnerships and support from development partners, particularly the World Bank, will be essential to meet these targets.
The government also plans to strengthen regional collaboration, with projects such as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline connecting markets across Africa. Aliyu Mohammed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, stressed that harmonized regulatory frameworks and sustainable financing are vital to unlock the continent’s gas potential.
Nigeria holds over 200 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, yet underutilization has limited the sector’s contribution to energy supply and industrialization. Officials say sustained investment, consistent policies, and cross-border cooperation are key to turning the country’s gas ambitions into tangible economic benefits.
