Nigeria’s Gas Market in 2025: Exports Surpass Domestic Sales, Driving Sector Growth
Nigeria’s gas sector saw a remarkable performance in 2025, with exports overtaking domestic sales for the first time in recent years, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The country produced 2.71 trillion standard cubic feet (scf) of gas, surpassing 2024’s 2.5 trillion scf, and exported approximately 942.7 billion scf—about 35 per cent of total production. This trend underscores the growing prominence of the international market in Nigeria’s gas economy.
Domestic gas sales during the year reached 780.6 billion scf, while 776.6 billion scf was utilised internally for field operations, translating to a total utilisation rate of 92.4 per cent. Associated gas contributed 1.456 trillion scf, and non-associated gas added 1.25 trillion scf, showing a balanced mix that supported both domestic energy needs and commercial exports.
Monthly production trends highlighted peaks and dips throughout the year. July recorded the highest output at 250.9 billion scf, followed closely by May (244.4 billion scf) and June (239.0 billion scf). Conversely, September saw the lowest monthly production at 198.3 billion scf. The final quarter’s figures—October to December—remained provisional, pending reconciliation by the regulator.
Exports consistently outpaced domestic demand, with December hitting a yearly high of 101.9 billion scf, and November and July also showing strong export activity. Meanwhile, domestic sales peaked in May at 73.0 billion scf and stayed above 69 billion scf through June and July. Despite robust utilisation, Nigeria still flared 204.0 billion scf of gas in 2025, equivalent to 7.54 per cent of total production, pointing to opportunities for monetising currently wasted resources.
Efforts to reduce flaring and capture more gas for productive use gained momentum in 2025. Notably, the NNPC/Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture signed Gas Flare Commercialisation Agreements in October under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme. The agreements aim to convert flare gas into electricity, industrial fuel, and cooking gas, aligning with Nigeria’s energy transition goals while strengthening the commercial and export value of the nation’s gas sector.
source: punch