By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has unveiled its Gas Master Plan 2026, tagged NGMP 2026, as part of renewed efforts to reposition Nigeria’s gas sector as a driver of industrialisation, energy security, and sustainable economic growth.
The unveiling, which took place at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday, January 30, 2026, was described as a major milestone in Nigeria’s energy transition, reflecting the Federal Government’s determination to convert the country’s vast gas resources into tangible economic value, expanded infrastructure, and enhanced global competitiveness.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the Gas Master Plan represents a strategic shift from policy formulation to disciplined execution, anchored on commercial viability and coordinated sector-wide implementation.
Ekpo noted that the launch goes beyond the presentation of a policy document, describing it as a deliberate move toward a more integrated, commercially driven, and execution-focused gas sector aligned with Nigeria’s development aspirations. He stressed that while Nigeria is fundamentally a gas nation with one of Africa’s largest proven gas reserves, the critical challenge has been translating this potential into reliable supply, infrastructure, and measurable economic outcomes.
According to the minister, the Plan’s emphasis on supply reliability, infrastructure expansion, domestic and export market flexibility, and strategic partnerships aligns 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 gas potential and elevate the country into a globally competitive gas hub.
Ojulari said Nigeria holds about 210 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven gas reserves, with an upside potential of up to 600 Tcf, making it one of the most significant hydrocarbon basins globally. He added that the Plan is reinforced by the Petroleum Industry Act and the Federal Government’s gas-focused energy transition agenda.
He explained that the NGMP 2026 is structured 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 more than $60 billion in new investments across the oil and gas value chain by 2030.
Ojulari further noted that the Plan prioritises cost optimisation, operational excellence, and the systematic conversion of resources from 3P to bankable 2P reserves, alongside strengthening gas supply to power generation, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Mini-LNG projects, and key industrial off-takers.
Reaffirming his commitment as chief sponsor of the initiative, the NNPC Ltd GCEO said the company has adopted a more collaborative, investor-centric approach in developing the NGMP 2026, with strong alignment among industry stakeholders, partners, and investors.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers’ Group (IPPG) and Chief Executive Officer of Aradel Holdings, Adegbite Falade, said the Plan would provide a significant boost to the economy by bridging the gap between policy intent and practical outcomes, reaffirming the group’s support for the 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 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. It builds on the Nigerian Gas Master Plan of 2008 and places strong emphasis on full alignment with the Nigerian Decade of Gas Programme to maximise economic benefits from the country’s abundant gas resources.
