The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has revealed that the country requires a staggering $22 billion investment in pipeline infrastructure, as part of a comprehensive strategy to move Nigeria to an economy powered by gas. The disclosure was a central pillar of the newly released NNPC Gas Master Plan (GMP) 2026 seen by THISDAY, a roadmap designed to bridge the gap between Nigeria’s massive sub-surface reserves and its domestic energy needs. According to the NNPC, while the country possesses Africa’s largest proven gas reserves, estimated at 210 trillion cubic feet, it remains only 16th in global production. This energy paradox, it said, is what the GMP 2026 seeks to resolve by prioritising midstream connectivity, infrastructure expansion, and commercial viability. The GMP 2026 highlighted that the current gas transportation network, spanning over 2,500km, is a significant foundation but remains insufficient to meet the nation’s burgeoning industrial and power demands. To close this gap, the NNPC said it is pushing for the completion of strategic national and regional projects, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and the OB3 pipelines. The NNPC noted that intensified investments are needed to stimulate gas supply growth, particularly for non-associated gas and deepwater developments, which are critical for long-term sustainability

THISDAY