By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has officially launched its NGMP 2026, a comprehensive Gas Master Plan designed to position the nation’s vast gas resources as the cornerstone of industrial growth, energy security, and sustainable development.
The launch, held at NNPC Towers in Abuja on 30 January 2026, marks a pivotal step in Nigeria’s energy strategy, emphasising a shift from policy to actionable implementation.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated the plan signifies a decisive move towards a commercially driven and integrated gas sector. “Today’s launch represents a deliberate shift towards a more integrated, commercially driven, and execution-focused gas sector,” he said. “Nigeria is fundamentally a gas nation. With one of the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, our challenge has been translating resources into reliable supply and policy into measurable outcomes. This plan speaks directly to that challenge.”
The Minister added that the plan’s focus on supply reliability, infrastructure expansion, and market flexibility aligns with the Federal Government’s ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative, aiming to make natural gas the backbone of Nigeria’s energy and industrial base.
NNPC Ltd’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the NGMP 2026 as an “execution-anchored roadmap” to unlock Nigeria’s gas potential and establish the country as a global gas hub. He highlighted Nigeria’s proven reserves of approximately 210 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), with potential resources up to 600 Tcf.
“The Plan is structured not just to deliver, but to exceed the presidential mandate,” Ojulari stated. This includes 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 in new investments across the value chain.
The plan prioritises cost optimisation, operational excellence, and securing gas supply for power generation, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and key industries.
Industry leaders voiced strong support at the launch. Mr. Adegbite Falade, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers’ Group (IPPG), called the plan “a shot in the arm to the economy which will bridge the gap between intent and reality.” Matthieu Bouyer, Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), also commended NNPC Ltd’s ambition and affirmed his organisation’s support for the plan’s core principles.
The NGMP 2026 serves as a ten-year blueprint for synchronised growth and value generation, evolving from the original 2008 Gas Master Plan. It is strategically aligned with the national Decade of Gas Programme, aiming to fully optimise Nigeria’s gas wealth for economic transformation.
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