Nigeria Leads on Methane Emissions Reduction – GECF
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) has praised Nigeria for its significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, citing the country as a global leader in establishing standards for responsible oil and gas operations.
Speaking at the 2026 International LNG Conference in Doha, Qatar, Secretary General of GECF, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, highlighted Nigeria’s efforts in methane reduction, calling them a “concrete example of the key action necessary to bend the curve on climate change.”
Mshelbila noted that the establishment and operation of Nigeria LNG (NLNG) has been instrumental in cutting gas flaring volumes by over 40 percent in 26 years. By monetizing associated gas, NLNG has not only reduced environmental damage but also contributed to industrialization and revenue generation.
The Secretary General also highlighted Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Initiative (2021–2030), aimed at maximizing gas reserves estimated at 200 trillion cubic feet. The program seeks to transition energy use to gas, including:
- Switching transportation to compressed natural gas (CNG)
- Replacing kerosene and charcoal with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking
- Increasing gas utilization in power generation
These efforts align with Nigeria’s sustainable development goals for universal energy access by 2030.
Mshelbila also emphasized that Nigeria’s climate-smart initiatives are reinforced by green finance, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent $2 billion National Climate Change Fund unveiled at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week summit. The Fund aims to mobilize private and international capital to support emissions reduction and climate resilience projects.
“Nigeria aligns its policies with GECF objectives, including decarbonizing the natural gas industry and leveraging technologies like carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and blue hydrogen,” Mshelbila said. He noted that collaboration among gas-producing countries is essential to accelerate the transition to clean energy while avoiding trade exclusion for nations unable to meet strict emissions timelines.
Panelists at the conference, including executives from Uniper, Honeywell, and TotalEnergies, stressed that only joint action and partnerships among producing nations can achieve global greenhouse gas reduction goals efficiently and equitably.
With these initiatives, Nigeria positions itself as a climate-conscious energy leader in Africa, setting benchmarks for methane emissions reduction, gas monetization, and sustainable industrial growth.
