The Nigerian Government has launched the Nigerian Gas Master Plan 2026 (NGMP 2026), a comprehensive roadmap aimed at accelerating industrialisation, strengthening energy security, and unlocking sustainable economic growth through the effective utilisation of the country’s vast natural gas resources.
Unveiled by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday, January 30, 2026, the plan signals a decisive shift from policy formulation to execution. It places strong emphasis on infrastructure expansion, commercial viability, and coordinated development across the gas value chain to enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness and advance its long-term national development goals.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the Gas Master Plan as a deliberate shift from policy formulation to disciplined execution, anchored on commercial viability and integrated, sector-wide 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. Nigeria is fundamentally a gas nation. With one of the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, our challenge has never been potential, but translating resources into reliable supply, infrastructure into value, and policy into measurable outcomes for our economy and our people. The Gas Master Plan speaks directly to this challenge.”
The Minister noted that the Plan’s focus on supply reliability, infrastructure expansion, domestic and export market flexibility, and strategic partnerships aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, positioning natural gas as the backbone of Nigeria’s energy security, industrialisation and just energy transition.
In his address, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the Gas Master Plan 2026 as a bold, execution-driven roadmap designed to unlock Nigeria’s vast gas potential and elevate the country into a globally competitive gas hub.
Ojulari noted that with about 210 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven gas reserves and an upside potential of up to 600 Tcf, Nigeria possesses one of the most significant hydrocarbon basins globally, further strengthened by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Federal Government’s gas-centric energy transition agenda.
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“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, while catalysing 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 advancement of gas resources from 3P to bankable 2P reserves, while strengthening gas supply to power generation, CNG, LPG, Mini-LNG and critical industrial off-takers.
Reaffirming his commitment as Chief Sponsor of the initiative, the NNPC Ltd GCEO stressed that the company adopted a more collaborative, investor-centric approach in shaping NGMP 2026, ensuring strong alignment with industry stakeholders, partners and investors.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers’ Group (IPPG) and Chief Executive Officer of Aradel Holdings, Mr Adegbite Falade, described the initiative as timely and catalytic.
“This gives a real shot in the arm to the economy by bridging the gap between intent and reality. Gas thrives on an integrated value chain from upstream production to off-takers. As IPPG members, we reiterate our commitment and support for this initiative.”
Similarly, the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr Matthieu Bouyer, commended NNPC Ltd for the ambition behind the Gas Master Plan and affirmed industry support for its core operating principles.
The Gas Master Plan 2026 is expected to serve as the definitive framework for coordinated gas sector development, execution discipline and value creation over the next decade.
NGMP 2026 builds on the foundation of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan of 2008, which was designed to maximise economic benefits from Nigeria’s abundant gas resources while promoting sustainable development across the energy value chain.