Nigeria is attracting rising international interest as the NNPC actively promotes its liquefied natural gas.
Moreover, energy disruptions in the Middle East have created unexpected commercial opportunities for Nigerian exports.
Rising LNG Demand
At CERAWeek in Houston, NNPC Executive Vice President Olalekan Ogunleye emphasised the country’s strategic position.
“Buyers prefer Nigeria for its location near key consuming nations and its vast gas reserves,” he said.
He further explained that natural gas demand continues to grow despite ongoing geopolitical tensions worldwide.
“We are ten sailing days from Europe, close to Asia, and near the Atlantic Basin,” he added.
Consequently, Nigeria leverages Africa’s largest gas reserves to offer strong opportunities for global LNG buyers.
The NNPC is actively planning two new LNG trains to increase the country’s production capacity.
Additionally, it is developing a 12 million mtpa LNG project, combined with gas-powered industrial hubs.
These projects aim to utilise more than 200 trillion cubic feet of Nigeria’s natural gas.
Currently, Nigeria LNG, where NNPC holds the largest stake, exports 22 million mtpa of LNG.
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Furthermore, the company is constructing a seventh production train, scheduled to begin operations by 2027.
Strategic Market Moves
Consultant Martin Houston highlighted that global conflicts motivate buyers to diversify their energy supply sources.
Thus, African and South American countries with untapped gas reserves could benefit from rising LNG demand.
However, last January, pipeline sabotage in the Niger Delta disrupted production and caused a 20% export drop.
NLNG confirmed that the attacks temporarily limited gas supply and affected scheduled shipments directly.
Despite these challenges, Nigeria restored LNG exports in 2024, regaining confidence among international buyers.
Crude Oil Outlook
Meanwhile, NNPC CEO Bayo Ojulari said the company plans to increase crude oil production by 100,000 barrels per day.
He added that Nigeria aims for average output of 1.8 million barrels per day in 2026, up from last year.
Although the country is still behind leading global oil producers, it steadily expands capacity to compete.
Overall, Nigeria is turning natural resources into strategic advantages, demonstrating resilience amid global energy uncertainty.
