Nigeria has recorded about $3.5 billion in committed investments following Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) on four major gas projects, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo.

Ekpo disclosed the figure on Friday in Abuja during a media briefing on developments in Nigeria’s gas industry since he assumed office in August 2023.

The minister said the projects reflect increasing investor interest in Nigeria’s gas sector and are expected to expand production capacity, support industrial activity and create employment.

Four gas projects secure investment decisions

Ekpo identified the four projects and their estimated investment values as: Iseni Project — $122 million, Ubeta Project — $566 million, HI Project — $2 billion, Ima Project — $800 million

Together, the projects represent approximately $3.5 billion in committed investment.

Ekpo said the decisions were more than milestones for individual projects, arguing that they demonstrated the potential for investment in the gas industry to generate wider economic benefits.

“These are not merely project milestones; they are evidence that responsible investment can create enduring domestic value, strengthen productive capacity and generate employment.”

Brass Methanol Project Moves Forward

The minister also said progress had been made on the Brass Methanol Project, valued at about $3.5 billion.

According to Ekpo, the project has moved closer to execution following the resolution of issues surrounding its Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA).

The development is significant because methanol production can provide an additional avenue for Nigeria to convert its natural gas resources into industrial products.

Nigeria’s Gas Reserves Increase

Ekpo said Nigeria’s proven natural gas reserves had increased over the period under review.

According to the figures he presented, proven reserves rose from approximately 208.83 trillion cubic feet (TCF) in 2023 to 215.19 TCF as of January 1, 2026.

Average gas production also increased from about 6.86 billion cubic feet per day (BCF/D) in 2023 to approximately 7.5 BCF/D.

Domestic gas supply, he added, had exceeded 2 BCF/D.

Government Targets 12 BCF/D by 2030

The Federal Government is targeting further increases in gas production as demand grows across several sectors.

Ekpo said the immediate target is 10 BCF/D, with production expected to reach 12 BCF/D by 2030.

The additional supply is expected to serve markets including: electricity generation, manufacturing, fertiliser production, petrochemicals, liquefied natural gas, other industrial users.

The government has positioned natural gas as an important component of Nigeria’s strategy for expanding domestic energy supply and industrial production.

NLNG Capacity Utilisation Rises

The minister also reported improved utilisation at Nigeria LNG (NLNG).

According to Ekpo, NLNG’s capacity utilisation increased from about 59 per cent in 2023 to 87 per cent year-to-date in 2026.

He also provided an update on Train 7, which is expected to expand the company’s production capacity.

The project is projected to add approximately eight million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to NLNG’s existing 22 MTPA capacity when completed.

The minister said completion is expected in June 2027.

That would bring NLNG’s total production capacity to approximately 30 MTPA, strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to process and export natural gas.

Decade of Gas Initiative Institutionalised

Ekpo said the Federal Government had also institutionalised the Decade of Gas initiative following approval by President Bola Tinubu.

The initiative provides a framework for coordinating policies and investments across Nigeria’s gas value chain.

Its focus areas include: increasing gas supply, stimulating domestic demand, expanding infrastructure, attracting investment, developing technical skills, improving the gas market, reducing emissions.

Why the Gas Investments Matter

Nigeria possesses one of Africa’s largest natural gas reserves, but challenges involving infrastructure, investment, processing capacity and domestic demand have historically limited the extent to which those resources can be converted into economic value.

The government’s current gas strategy seeks to move beyond simply exporting raw resources by expanding the role of gas in:

power → manufacturing → fertiliser → petrochemicals → LNG → exports.

The four FIDs announced by the minister therefore represent investments at the project level, while the wider gas strategy is aimed at increasing activity across the entire value chain.

Key figures at a glance