The Nigerian government has identified its massive 209 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves as the cornerstone of the nation’s energy transition and economic diversification strategy.
According to Vanguard, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, made this declaration during an exclusive interview in Abuja on Sunday while assessing the administration’s two-year performance in the energy sector.
Verheijen revealed that the government is building upon the Petroleum Industry Act through Presidential Directives 40 to 42, which have significantly improved fiscal terms and regulatory clarity to attract investors.
She pointed to the Betafield Final Investment Decision as concrete evidence of this progress, noting that the project alone will deliver 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
“This is evident by projects like the Betafield Final Investment Decision, which will supply 350 million scuffs per day of gas and many more projects like this to come,” she stated.
The energy adviser highlighted how strategic infrastructure development is connecting gas supply to demand centers across Nigeria. Critical projects like the OB3 and AKK pipelines, along with the ELPS looping, are currently receiving priority attention.
She explained that the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund is providing catalytic capital to accelerate these infrastructure developments in the midstream and downstream segments of the market.
On energy access, Verheijen reported significant achievements, with 12 million Nigerian homes now using LPG as cleaner cooking fuel. This initiative forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to displace harmful alternatives like diesel and firewood, while simultaneously improving public health outcomes and creating employment opportunities.
Regarding production targets, the special adviser disclosed that Nigeria currently produces between 1.5 and 1.7 million barrels of crude oil daily, with plans to increase this to 4 million barrels in the long term.
For gas, she outlined an ambitious target of 10 billion cubic feet daily by 2030, achievable through unlocking various gas resources including onshore, associated, and deepwater non-associated gas.
Security remains a key focus area, with Verheijen emphasizing ongoing collaboration between security agencies and private operators to protect energy assets.
“Our continued improvement around security in collaboration with security agencies and the private sector operators of these assets will continue to curb theft and vandalism,” she assured.
The energy adviser concluded by stressing that these comprehensive reforms and investments position Nigeria’s gas sector as both an economic growth engine and a transition fuel, aligning with global energy demands while supporting sustainable national development.
Through these measures, the Tinubu administration aims to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape while creating lasting value for both citizens and investors.
