By Chioma Obinagwam
At the 4th Oriental News conference in Lagos on July 24, 2025, themed “Integrating Nigeria’s Gas Potentials into Strategic Energy Transition Initiatives,” experts urged better utilization of Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to drive affordable, sustainable energy transition and economic growth.
Confiance News gathered from a statement issued by the Publisher of Oriental News, Yemisi Izuora on Monday.
Despite holding over 210 trillion cubic feet of gas, the sector struggles with underinvestment, infrastructure deficits, and policy inconsistencies.
Temitope Ogedengbe, NLNG’s Energy Transition Manager, emphasized a tailored approach: “Our transition must leverage our unique strengths and resources to grow our economy. Energy transition should not be a copy-paste exercise. Nigeria must design its own, since we need economic development, energy security, and to address developmental issues.”
He noted that much of Nigeria’s gas is flared or reinjected due to a lack of commercial frameworks, stating, “We’re not taking nearly the amount we should be. We are still failing and reinjecting because there is no commercial arrangement to optimise this; for many reasons.”
Ogedengbe highlighted challenges with marginal fields, saying, “The issues there are marginal fields, which are difficult to produce.” He also pointed to shifting global demand, noting, “There is still a market for LNG produced in Nigeria, but what is happening is that Europe is asking for lower-carbon LNG.”
Former Power Minister Prof. Bart Nnaji stressed gas’s role in power generation, saying, “For effective supply from thermal plants, an adequate and reliable gas supply is vital.” He criticized insufficient investment, stating, “What we need is for the government to act as a true enabler, offering the necessary support for infrastructure and gas harvesting.”
Engr. Chichi Emenike of Neconde Energy highlighted policy and financial hurdles: “This is a serious conundrum, whereas we have sourced funds from somewhere to produce these gas molecules from our facilities. How am I going to pay back?” She called for a pragmatic energy plan, urging, “Let us start with what is doable; I mean the low-hanging fruit.”
Confiance News reports that these insights underscore the need for coordinated reforms to unlock Nigeria’s gas potential, boost power supply, and strengthen the economy.
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