The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has officially unveiled its Gas Master Plan 2026, tagged NGMP 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s gas sector as a key driver of industrialisation, energy security, and sustainable economic growth.
The unveiling took place at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday, 30 January 2026, and marked a strategic turning point in Nigeria’s energy transition journey. The event highlighted the Federal Government’s resolve to convert the country’s vast gas resources into real economic value, expanded infrastructure, and stronger global competitiveness in line with long-term development goals.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the Gas Master Plan as a clear move from policy formulation to disciplined execution, with strong emphasis on commercial viability and integrated coordination across the gas sector.
“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 translation: 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,” Ekpo said.
He further noted that the Plan’s focus on supply reliability, infrastructure expansion, flexibility for domestic and export markets, and strategic partnerships aligns closely with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative. According to him, this positions natural gas as the backbone of Nigeria’s energy security, industrial growth, and just energy transition.
In his address, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the NNPC Gas Master Plan 2026 as a bold, execution-focused roadmap designed to unlock Nigeria’s gas potential and elevate the country into a globally competitive gas hub.
Ojulari stated that Nigeria currently holds about 210 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, with an upside potential of up to 600 trillion cubic feet. He said this places Nigeria among the most significant hydrocarbon basins in the world, supported by the Petroleum Industry Act and the Federal Government’s gas-led energy transition agenda.
“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 said.
He explained that the Plan prioritises cost optimisation, operational excellence, and the systematic advancement of gas resources from 3P to bankable 2P reserves. He added that it also strengthens gas supply to power generation, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, Mini-LNG, and key industrial off-takers critical to economic growth.
Reaffirming his personal commitment as Chief Sponsor of the initiative, the NNPC Ltd GCEO said the company adopted a more collaborative and investor-focused approach in shaping NGMP 2026. According to him, the Plan was developed with strong alignment to industry stakeholders, partners, and investors to ensure effective execution.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers’ Group (IPPG) and Chief Executive Officer of Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade, said the Plan would give the economy a major boost.
“This is giving a shot in the arm to the economy which will bridge the gap between intent and reality. Gas thrives on value chain, from upstream to offtakers. As IPPG members, we reiterate our commitment and support to this initiative,” Falade said.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, thanked NNPC Ltd for the ambition behind the Gas Master Plan. He said his organisation supports the core operating principles of the Plan and its long-term objectives.
The Gas Master Plan 2026 is expected to serve as the main 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, which was designed to maximise economic benefits from Nigeria’s gas resources, and places strong emphasis on alignment with the Nigerian Decade of Gas Programme.
