By Jude Opara Abuja
The Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) Board, Engr. Musa Kida, has called on both local and international investors to join Nigeria in unlocking the country’s vast gas resources, declaring that the opportunities are immense and that the time to act is now.
Kida made the call last week during the official launch of the NNPC Gas Master Plan 2026 (NGMP 2026) at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.
He described the unveiling as “a landmark moment in the evolution of Nigeria’s energy future”; even as he reaffirmed the Board’s unflinching commitment to accelerating the development of the gas sector of the country.
In his address, the NNPC boss emphasised that natural gas is central to Nigeria’s economic transformation. “Gas is not just part of Nigeria’s energy mix, but a catalyst for industrialization, power stability, economic diversification, environmental responsibility, and for positioning Nigeria as a global player in the new energy era,” he declared.
The NNPC Board Chairman noted that the Gas Master Plan 2026 aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, which positions natural gas as the engine of Nigeria’s future growth.
“This NNPC Gas Master Plan provides the structured pathway through which that declaration becomes deliverable,” he stated.
Nigeria currently holds approximately 210 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven gas reserves, with an upside potential of up to 600 Tcf, making it one of the world’s most significant hydrocarbon basins.
The Gas Master Plan 2026 is designed to increase national gas production to 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, while catalyzing over $60 billion in new investments across the oil and gas value chain.
Engr. Kida commended the NNPC Ltd management team, led by Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, for championing the initiative “with clarity of purpose, technical depth, and national vision.”
”The dedication, intellectual rigour, and the tireless work invested in developing these initiatives underscore the company’s transformation into a forward-looking, commercially agile, and nationally responsive energy company,” he said.
“This initiative reflects the NNPC we are proud of, a company that not only identifies opportunities but builds the frameworks to deliver them with excellence.”
He further issued an open invitation to investors from all over the world to partner with Nigeria in developing the gas sector.
“We issue a clear call today to investors to walk alongside us. Nigeria’s gas opportunity is vast, with an expanding demand market. Thus, we invite you to join us and seize the opportunity to turn this blueprint into projects, industries, and into shared prosperity. Together, we can unlock the infrastructure, technologies, upstream developments, and industrial ecosystems that will define Nigeria’s economic future.”
Kida stated that the NNPC Board stands firmly with the mandate of President Bola Tinubu behind the strategic direction set forth in the Gas Master Plan, expressing alignment with the ambitious production targets and the broader national aspiration to make Nigeria “the pre-eminent gas-powered economy in Africa and a respected global player.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers’ Group (IPPG) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade, described the plan as “giving a shot in the arm to the economy” that will “bridge the gap between intent and reality.”
