By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has intensified efforts to position Nigeria as a major global gas hub, with plans to expand the country’s proven gas reserves from over 215 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) to more than 600Tcf.
The company also targets increasing national gas production to 10 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by 2027 and 12Bcf/d by 2030 as it seeks to deepen domestic gas utilisation and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the international LNG market.
NNPC Ltd.’s Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, disclosed this on Monday at the 2026 Gas Technology & Exhibition Conference (GASTECH) in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ogunleye, who spoke during a panel session titled “The New LNG Order: Leadership Strategies for Energy Security and Growth,” said Nigeria’s substantial gas resources provide an opportunity to support industrialisation while generating foreign exchange through exports.
He said the company was implementing its Gas Master Plan (GMP) as a strategic framework for bridging the gap between the country’s current reserves and its long-term gas potential.
“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.
According to him, NNPC’s gas development strategy is anchored on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Decade of Gas Framework and Gas Master Plan.
He said the immediate target was to raise national gas production to 10Bcf/d by 2027 and subsequently 12Bcf/d by 2030.
Ogunleye noted that Nigeria already had an established presence in the global LNG market, citing Nigeria LNG’s Trains 1-6, which collectively produce 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
According to him, the facilities have exported more than 6,000 LNG cargoes since 1999, while Train 7 is expected to be completed in 2027.
The NNPC executive said Nigeria’s location gives it access to major markets in the Atlantic Basin and Asia, strengthening its prospects as a strategic global gas supplier.
He explained that Nigeria’s export ambitions would run alongside efforts to increase domestic gas consumption.
According to him, LNG exports would provide foreign exchange earnings, while increased domestic gas utilisation would support industrialisation, create jobs, improve energy security and strengthen economic activity.
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Ogunleye said the government had also worked to reduce risks associated with new LNG investments through a stronger legal and regulatory framework and fiscal incentives.
He urged investors and financiers to take advantage of the opportunities in Nigeria’s gas sector, particularly as the country works towards improving security, gas pricing and 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,” he said.
GASTECH 2026, now in its 54th edition, brings together about 50,000 participants from more than 150 countries, including energy executives, policymakers, investors and technology leaders, to deliberate on energy security, LNG supply, infrastructure investment and decarbonisation.
