The Federal Government has set a target of producing 10 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day (BSCFD) by 2030, in a move that positions natural gas as a central pillar of Nigeria’s energy security and economic growth strategy.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a ministerial address at the ninth Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026, themed “Energy for Peace and Prosperity: Securing Our Shared Future.”
Ekpo said government policies were already yielding measurable results, noting that Nigeria’s gas production maintained an upward trend in 2025, averaging between 7.5 and 7.6 BSCFD.
He revealed that domestic gas supply had exceeded two BSCFD for the first time in the country’s history, describing the development as a major milestone for power generation, industrial growth and household energy consumption.
The minister also reported significant improvements in environmental performance, with gas flaring reduced to some of the lowest levels recorded in recent years, in line with Nigeria’s commitment to end routine gas flaring by 2030.
According to him, investor confidence in the gas sector has been strengthened, as evidenced by Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) in key upstream gas projects, supported by improved regulatory clarity under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“Across the midstream and downstream segments, pipeline infrastructure, processing facilities and gas-to-power projects have expanded. This is improving connectivity, boosting domestic utilisation and supporting cleaner cooking solutions, job creation and industrial stability,” Ekpo said.
He added that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, government policy prioritises the expansion of domestic gas infrastructure while also strengthening Nigeria’s presence in regional and global gas markets.
“This includes facilitating investments in gas processing, storage and distribution, as well as accelerating gas-to-power projects aimed at addressing energy poverty and enhancing industrial competitiveness,” he said.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s energy future was closely tied to peace, partnership and shared responsibility, urging governments, investors, development partners, host communities and civil society to move beyond dialogue to concrete action.
“Our collective task is to build an energy system that powers prosperity, strengthens stability and supports regional integration,” he said.
