The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has officially unveiled the Gas Master Plan 2026 (NGMP 2026), a strategic roadmap designed to position Nigeria’s gas sector as a major driver of industrialisation, energy security, and sustainable economic growth. The launch took place yesterday at NNPC Towers in Abuja.
The initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to converting the country’s abundant gas reserves into tangible economic value, infrastructure development, and global competitiveness.
At the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the NGMP 2026 as a shift from policy formulation to disciplined execution, emphasizing commercial viability and sector-wide coordination. He said:
“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. Nigeria is fundamentally a gas Nation. With one of the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, our challenge has never been potential, but translation: translating resources into reliable supply, infrastructure into value, and policy into measurable outcomes for our economy and our people.”
Ekpo highlighted that the Plan prioritizes supply reliability, infrastructure expansion, domestic and export market flexibility, and strategic partnerships, complementing the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative and positioning natural gas as the backbone of Nigeria’s energy security and industrialisation.
NNPC Ltd’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the NGMP 2026 as an ambitious, execution-focused blueprint to unlock Nigeria’s gas potential and elevate the nation as a globally competitive gas hub. He noted that Nigeria’s proven gas reserves of about 210 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), with a potential of up to 600 Tcf, place the country among the world’s major hydrocarbon basins.
Ojulari explained that the Plan aims to meet and exceed the Presidential targets of 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, while attracting over $60 billion in new investments across the oil and gas value chain. Key priorities include cost optimisation, operational excellence, systematic advancement of reserves from 3P to bankable 2P, and strengthened gas supply to power generation, CNG, LPG, Mini-LNG, and industrial off-takers.
The NGMP 2026 was developed through a collaborative, investor-focused approach involving stakeholders, partners, and investors.
Expressing support for the initiative, Mr. Adegbite Falade, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers’ Group (IPPG), said:
“This is giving a shot in the arm to the economy which will bridge the gap between intent and reality. Gas thrives on the value chain, from upstream to offtakers. As IPPG members, we reiterate our commitment and support to this initiative.”
Similarly, Matthieu Bouyer, Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and MD of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, commended NNPC Ltd for the ambition behind the Plan and pledged continued backing for its core principles.
The Gas Master Plan 2026 is expected to serve as the definitive framework for coordinated gas sector development, disciplined execution, and value creation over the next decade, building on the Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMP) 2008 and fully aligning with the Decade of Gas Programme.
This plan marks a critical step toward realising Nigeria’s potential as a leading gas economy and leveraging the sector to drive industrialisation, energy security, and broad-based economic growth.
