Nigeria’s natural gas sector recorded a modest but steady growth in May 2026, with average daily production rising to 7.93 billion standard cubic feet per day (bcf/d). This represents a 0.63% increase year-on-year, compared to 7.88bcf/d in May 2025, according to fresh data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The figures highlight Nigeria’s gradual but consistent push to strengthen its gas economy as policymakers continue to position natural gas as a central pillar for energy security, industrial expansion, and economic diversification.
A closer breakdown of the data shows that Non-Associated Gas (NAG) slightly outperformed Associated Gas (AG) during the month, signaling a shift toward more dedicated gas development projects. NAG recorded 3.98bcf/d, while AG stood at 3.96bcf/d, underscoring the growing relevance of standalone gas investments in Nigeria’s upstream sector.
The report also revealed how Nigeria’s gas was utilized across different channels. About 40% (3.07bcf/d) was exported, while 26.6% (2.18bcf/d) went to domestic consumption, supporting power generation and industrial use. Another 26.5% (2.11bcf/d) was used for field operations, while gas flaring accounted for 6.9% (0.57bcf/d), reflecting ongoing but gradually improving environmental efficiency.
Overall, production trends show a stable upward movement in recent months, rising from 7.80bcf/d in January to 7.94bcf/d in April, before slightly easing to 7.93bcf/d in May. The NUPRC noted that this growth reflects improved project execution and the maturation of gas-focused developments across the country, reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to become a major global gas hub.
Looking ahead, Nigeria continues to push its Gas Development Roadmap, which aims to unlock over 55 trillion cubic feet of uncommitted gas reserves and attract large-scale investments. With more than 200 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves, the country is betting heavily on gas to power its energy transition, reduce flaring, and support its long-term industrialisation goals.
source: nairametrics