NNPC Launches Ambitious Gas Master Plan 2026 to Drive Industrialization
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has officially launched the Gas Master Plan 2026, a comprehensive strategy designed to accelerate gas development, enhance energy security, and attract substantial investments into Nigeria's oil and gas sector. The plan was unveiled at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday, January 30, 2026, marking a significant step toward repositioning natural gas as a central driver of industrial growth and economic transformation.
Production Targets and Investment Goals
According to statements from NNPC officials, the Gas Master Plan 2026 sets ambitious production targets, aiming to increase national gas output to 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and further boost it to 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030. In parallel, the initiative seeks to catalyze over $60 billion in new investments across the entire oil and gas value chain by the end of this decade. These goals align with the Presidential mandate and the broader objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act, emphasizing a shift from policy formulation to practical execution.
Strategic Focus and Resource Potential
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the plan as an execution-focused roadmap that aims to unlock Nigeria's vast gas potential. He highlighted that Nigeria possesses approximately 210 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, with potential resources reaching up to 600 trillion cubic feet, positioning the country as one of the world's most significant gas basins. The plan prioritizes cost efficiency, operational excellence, and the conversion of gas resources into bankable reserves, while expanding supply to various sectors including power generation, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and industrial users.
Government and Industry Support
At the unveiling ceremony, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasized that the plan represents a crucial move toward commercial viability and coordinated sector development. He noted that Nigeria's primary challenge has not been a lack of gas resources but the ability to transform them into reliable supply, infrastructure, and economic value. The plan is fully aligned with the federal government's Decade of Gas Initiative, placing natural gas at the heart of energy security and a just energy transition.
Industry stakeholders have expressed strong support for the initiative. Adegbite Falade, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers' Group and CEO of Aradel Holdings, stated that the plan will help bridge the gap between policy intent and economic impact. Similarly, Matthieu Bouyer, Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section and Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, endorsed the objectives and operating principles outlined in the Gas Master Plan.
Framework and Future Outlook
The Gas Master Plan 2026 is expected to serve as a guiding framework for coordinated gas sector development and value creation over the next decade. It builds upon the foundation of the original Nigerian Gas Master Plan introduced in 2008 and incorporates a more collaborative, investor-friendly approach developed in consultation with industry partners. This strategic initiative underscores NNPC Ltd's commitment to driving gas-led industrialization, enhancing Nigeria's global competitiveness as a gas hub, and securing long-term energy sustainability for the nation.
