The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to positioning natural gas as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth, energy security, and social development following the unveiling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) Gas Master Plan (GMP) 2026.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, made the declaration over the weekend in Abuja during the official presentation of the plan and its accompanying initiatives.
A major highlight of the master plan is its strong focus on domestic gas utilisation, particularly through the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Cylinder Supply Expansion Initiative, which aims to significantly scale access to clean cooking solutions across the country.
The unveiling ceremony featured the signing of agreements and the launch of a 20 million LPG cylinder supply initiative targeted for delivery by 2030. It also included the execution of a consortium agreement by the LPG supply group to support the programme.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s target of achieving five million tonnes of domestic LPG consumption annually by 2030, a move expected to enhance household welfare, reduce deforestation, and improve public health outcomes.
Ekpo disclosed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has set ambitious gas production targets of 10 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd) by 2027 and 12 bscfd by 2030.
He noted that meeting these goals would require efficient infrastructure delivery, strong commercial alignment, and disciplined execution.
“The NNPC Gas Master Plan provides a credible framework to translate national ambition into measurable outcomes.
The document moves beyond policy statements to focus on delivery,” the minister said.
He added that the master plan is fully aligned with the Federal Government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative and the President’s “From Gas to Prosperity: Renewed Hope Agenda,” explaining that while the Decade of Gas defines the national policy direction, the NNPC plan serves as the execution architecture for achieving those objectives.
Ekpo emphasized that gas development in Nigeria is fundamentally partnership-driven, combining government policy direction, NNPC Ltd.’s execution leadership, and private sector investment supported by global best practices.
“This unveiling is not about announcing figures or restating ambitions. It is about ensuring that Nigeria’s gas resources deliver reliable power, thriving industries, clean cooking solutions, jobs, and an improved quality of life for Nigerians,” he stated.
The minister stressed that the true measure of success would not lie in the size of the country’s gas reserves but in the tangible benefits experienced by households, businesses, and communities nationwide.
He assured stakeholders of disciplined implementation, strengthened partnerships, and clear accountability in executing the master plan, expressing optimism that the initiative would accelerate Nigeria’s transition toward a more sustainable and gas-powered economy.
