The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has unveiled its Gas Master Plan 2026 (NGMP 2026), a strategic blueprint aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s gas sector as the backbone of national industrialisation, energy security, and sustainable economic growth.
The unveiling, which took place at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday, January 30, 2026, marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s energy transition journey and reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to convert the country’s vast gas resources into tangible economic value, infrastructure development, and global competitiveness.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the Plan as a decisive shift from policy formulation to disciplined execution, driven by commercial viability and integrated coordination across the gas value chain.
Ekpo said the NGMP 2026 addresses Nigeria’s long-standing challenge of translating its abundant gas resources into reliable supply, infrastructure value, and measurable economic outcomes. He noted that the Plan places strong emphasis on supply reliability, infrastructure expansion, domestic and export market flexibility, and strategic partnerships.
According to the minister, these priorities align with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, positioning natural gas as a critical enabler of Nigeria’s energy security, industrial growth, and just energy transition.
In his remarks, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the Gas Master Plan 2026 as an execution-focused roadmap designed to unlock Nigeria’s immense gas potential and transform the country into a globally competitive gas hub.
Ojulari noted that Nigeria holds about 210 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven gas reserves, with potential resources estimated at up to 600 Tcf, making it one of the world’s most significant hydrocarbon basins. He added that the Plan is reinforced by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Federal Government’s gas-driven energy transition agenda.
“The Plan is structured not only to meet but exceed the Presidential mandate of increasing gas production to 10 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030, while catalysing over 60 billion dollars in new investments across the oil and gas value chain by 2030,” Ojulari said.
He explained that NGMP 2026 prioritises cost optimisation, operational excellence, and the systematic advancement of gas resources from 3P to bankable 2P reserves. The Plan also seeks to strengthen gas supply to power generation, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), mini-LNG projects, and key industrial off-takers.
Ojulari reaffirmed his commitment as Chief Sponsor of the initiative, stating that NNPC Ltd has adopted a more collaborative and investor-centric approach in developing the Plan, with strong alignment across industry stakeholders and partners.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers’ Group (IPPG) and Chief Executive Officer of Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade, described the Plan as a boost to the economy, capable of bridging the gap between policy intent and practical outcomes. He reaffirmed IPPG members’ support for the 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 expressed support for its core operating principles.
The Gas Master Plan 2026 is expected to serve as the central 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 is fully aligned with the Nigerian Decade of Gas Programme, reinforcing gas as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
