NNPC Unveils Multiple Pathways to Make Nigeria Global Gas Hub
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has unveiled a multi-pronged strategy to transform Nigeria into a global gas hub, leveraging the country’s more than 215 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven gas reserves to drive industrialisation, strengthen energy security and expand its export footprint.
The development was contained in a statement issued by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., on September 14, 2026, following remarks by the company’s Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, at the 2026 Gas Technology & 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 positioning its vast gas resources to respond to changing global energy supply and demand dynamics amid geopolitical tensions and conflicts.
He said NNPC Ltd. was pursuing multiple pathways under its Gas Master Plan (GMP), the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Decade of Gas Framework to unlock the country’s enormous gas potential.
“Gas development and monetisation from Nigeria’s standpoint is a purely commercial play,” Ogunleye stated.
“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,” he added.
According to him, the company’s near-term production targets are to raise national gas output to 10 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by 2027 and 12 Bcf/d by 2030.
Ogunleye said achieving the targets would require stronger coordination across the sector, anchored on the PIA, the Decade of Gas Framework and the Gas Master Plan.
Nigeria Targets Bigger LNG Footprint
The NNPC executive said Nigeria was already a reliable global gas supplier and was embarking on an expansion drive designed to strengthen its position in the international LNG market.
He cited the Nigeria LNG Trains 1–6, which have a combined production capacity of 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and have exported more than 6,000 LNG cargoes since 1999.
He added that Train 7 was expected to be completed in 2027, further expanding Nigeria’s LNG capacity and export potential.
Ogunleye said Nigeria’s geographical location gives it a strategic advantage in accessing both the Atlantic Basin and Asian markets.
He said the advantage, combined with the country’s substantial gas resource base and renewed focus on gas development, provides a strong foundation for Nigeria to deepen its role in global gas supply.
NNPC Targets Domestic Industrialisation, Export Growth
The NNPC executive stressed that domestic gas utilisation and gas exports should not be viewed as competing priorities.
According to him, Nigeria has adopted a dual pathway that uses gas exports to generate foreign exchange while simultaneously expanding domestic utilisation to support industrialisation, create jobs and strengthen energy security.
“Gas development and monetisation” must therefore serve both domestic economic needs and Nigeria’s position in the international energy market, he said.
Ogunleye also disclosed that Nigeria had de-risked new LNG projects through a strengthened legal and regulatory framework supported by attractive fiscal incentives.
He called for increased investor and financier participation in the country’s gas sector, particularly as Nigeria works to improve security, pricing competitiveness and gas supply reliability.
“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 said.
Global Energy Leaders Gather at GASTECH
GASTECH, now in its 54th edition, is described as the world’s largest exhibition and conference focused on natural gas, LNG, hydrogen and low-carbon solutions.
The 2026 edition in Bangkok is bringing together about 50,000 participants from more than 150 countries, including energy experts, chief executives, policymakers, investors and technology leaders.
Discussions at the conference centre on global energy security, LNG supply, infrastructure investment, emerging technologies and decarbonisation.
Nigeria’s participation provides an international platform for NNPC Ltd. to showcase its gas development strategy and engage global investors and industry stakeholders on opportunities across the country’s expanding gas value chain.
