The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has officially launched its Gas Master Plan 2026 (NGMP 2026), a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming Nigeria’s gas sector into a major driver of industrialisation, energy security, and sustainable economic growth.
The unveiling ceremony, held on Friday at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy transition, as the federal government intensifies efforts to convert the nation’s vast gas resources into tangible economic and developmental gains.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the Plan as a shift from policy formulation to disciplined execution, stressing the need for commercial viability and integrated sector coordination.
“Today’s launch is not merely the unveiling of a document; it represents a deliberate shift towards a more integrated, commercially driven, and execution focused gas sector, aligned with Nigeria’s development aspirations,” Ekpo said.
He noted that Nigeria is fundamentally a gas nation with one of the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, adding that the country’s core challenge lies in translating potential into reliable supply, infrastructure into value, and policy into measurable economic outcomes.
In his address, NNPC Ltd Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the NGMP 2026 as a bold and execution driven framework designed to unlock Nigeria’s immense gas potential and elevate the country into a globally competitive gas hub.
Ojulari revealed that Nigeria currently holds about 210 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, with an upside potential of up to 600 trillion cubic feet, positioning the country as one of the world’s most significant hydrocarbon basins.
“The plan is structured not just to deliver but to exceed the Presidential mandate of increasing national gas production to 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030,” he said.
“It is also expected to catalyse over 60 billion dollars in new investments across the oil and gas value chain by 2030.”
He explained that the plan prioritises cost optimisation, operational excellence, and the systematic upgrade of gas resources from 3P to bankable 2P reserves, while strengthening supply to power generation, Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Mini LNG projects, and key industrial consumers.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) and CEO of Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade, described the Plan as a critical boost to the economy.
“This is giving a shot in the arm to the economy which will bridge the gap between intent and reality,” Falade said.
”Gas thrives on value chain, from upstream to offtakers. As IPPG members, we reiterate our commitment and support to this initiative.”
Similarly, the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, commended NNPC Ltd for the ambition behind the Gas Master Plan, noting that TotalEnergies supports the core operating principles of the framework.
