The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has unveiled its Gas Master Plan 2026 (NGMP 2026), a strategic roadmap aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s gas sector as a catalyst for industrialisation, energy security and sustainable economic growth.
The unveiling ceremony, held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday, January 30, 2026, marked what stakeholders described as a critical milestone in Nigeria’s energy transition, reflecting the Federal Government’s resolve to convert the country’s vast gas resources into tangible economic value, infrastructure expansion and 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 shift from policy formulation to disciplined execution, driven by commercial viability and integrated sector-wide coordination.
According to Ekpo, the Plan aligns with Nigeria’s long-term development aspirations and directly addresses the challenge of translating abundant gas reserves into reliable supply, functional infrastructure and measurable economic outcomes. He noted that its focus on supply reliability, infrastructure expansion, market flexibility and strategic partnerships is consistent with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, which positions natural gas as the backbone of national energy security and industrial development.
In his remarks, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the NGMP 2026 as an execution-focused roadmap designed to unlock Nigeria’s vast gas potential and elevate the country into a globally competitive gas hub.
Ojulari stated that Nigeria, with about 210 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven gas reserves and an upside potential of up to 600 Tcf, remains one of the world’s most significant gas provinces. He said the Plan is structured to meet and surpass the Presidential mandate of increasing gas production to 10 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion by 2030, while catalysing more than $60 billion in new investments across the oil and gas value chain by 2030.
He added that the Plan prioritises cost optimisation, operational excellence and the systematic advancement of resources from 3P to bankable 2P reserves, while strengthening gas supply to power generation, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), mini-LNG and key industrial consumers.
Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC Ltd’s commitment to a collaborative, investor-focused approach in implementing the NGMP 2026, stressing that the initiative was developed in close alignment with industry stakeholders, partners and investors.
In goodwill messages, 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 that would bridge the gap between policy intent and execution, pledging the group’s support. Similarly, the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria, Mr Matthieu Bouyer, commended NNPC Ltd for the ambition behind the Plan and expressed support for its core principles.
The Gas Master Plan 2026, an evolution of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan introduced in 2008, is expected to serve as the central framework for coordinated gas sector development, execution discipline and value creation over the next decade, with strong alignment to the Nigerian Decade of Gas Programme.
