Nigeria’s proven natural gas reserves have increased to 215.19 trillion cubic feet (TCF), while 670 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses have been deployed nationwide under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, according to officials of the Decade of Gas Secretariat and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV).
The figures were disclosed during a media engagement and capacity-building session organised by the Decade of Gas Secretariat in collaboration with PI-CNG & EV in Kano on Friday.
The session brought together journalists from electronic, print and digital media organisations to strengthen their understanding of Nigeria’s gas development agenda and encourage informed reporting on developments in the energy sector.
Nigeria’s Gas Reserves and Production Increase
Speaking at the event, the Workstream Lead for Infrastructure and Demand at the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr Taofeek Balogun, said Nigeria had recorded significant progress in gas development under the current administration.
According to Balogun, the country’s proven gas reserves increased from 208.83 TCF in 2023 to 215.19 TCF as of January 2026.
He added that average daily gas production had risen from 6.86 billion cubic feet per day (BCF/D) to approximately 7.5 BCF/D, while domestic gas supply had exceeded 2 BCF/D.
The developments, he said, reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s gas infrastructure, expand domestic utilisation and position natural gas as a key driver of economic growth.
$3.5 Billion Investment in Major Gas Projects
Balogun disclosed that four major gas projects had attracted $3.5 billion in committed investments, highlighting growing investment in the country’s gas infrastructure.
He also reported that the OB3 Gas Pipeline had reached 100 per cent completion, while the AKK Gas Pipeline was 95 per cent complete.
According to him, public infrastructure funding of N671 billion has attracted approximately N1.6 trillion in private investment, underscoring the role of government-backed infrastructure spending in encouraging private-sector participation.
The projects are expected to support gas transportation, improve supply capacity and facilitate greater utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources.
LPG Programme Targets Five Million Households
The Decade of Gas Secretariat also highlighted progress in expanding access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for household cooking.
Balogun said the programme, which aims to reach five million households by 2030, had commenced with launches in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states.
He disclosed that 27,000 LPG cylinders had been distributed, while regional sensitisation campaigns were ongoing to encourage households to adopt cleaner cooking solutions.
The initiative is designed to promote cleaner cooking alternatives and reduce reliance on traditional fuels, particularly in households that lack access to modern cooking energy.
670 CNG Buses Deployed Nationwide
In his presentation, the Chief Operating Officer of PI-CNG & EV, Mr Tosin Coker, described natural gas as an important component of Nigeria’s efforts to reduce transportation costs, strengthen energy security and support cleaner mobility.
Coker said 670 CNG buses had been deployed across the country, including 285 operating commercially in 13 states.
He added that another 302 buses had been allocated to transport unions, students and government agencies, while hundreds of additional buses and tricycles were on order.
The expansion forms part of efforts to increase the availability of gas-powered vehicles and provide transport operators with alternatives to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles.
Coker also reassured the public about CNG safety, emphasising the importance of certified vehicle conversion centres and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
CNG Programme Records Transport Fare Reductions
According to Coker, participating routes under the National Affordable CNG Transition Programme have recorded transport fare reductions ranging from 15 to 50 per cent.
The reductions are intended to ease the financial burden on commuters while encouraging the adoption of CNG-powered vehicles.
The programme forms part of broader efforts to make public transportation more affordable by expanding access to alternative vehicle fuels.
However, the extent to which commuters benefit from lower fares may depend on route coverage, operator participation and the availability of refuelling infrastructure.
127 New CNG Refuelling Stations Planned
Coker further disclosed that 127 additional CNG refuelling stations were planned across 31 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Kano was identified as a leading CNG infrastructure hub in the North-West, with seven operational refuelling stations and another 17 under construction.
The planned expansion is expected to improve access to CNG, support the growing number of gas-powered vehicles and address infrastructure challenges that could limit wider adoption.
Expanding refuelling capacity is particularly important as the government and transport operators increase investment in CNG buses, tricycles and vehicle conversion programmes.
Nigeria’s Gas Development Agenda
The developments highlighted by the Decade of Gas Secretariat and PI-CNG & EV reflect the Federal Government’s efforts to expand domestic gas production, improve infrastructure, promote cleaner cooking and increase the use of natural gas in transportation.
The reported growth in reserves and production, alongside investments in major pipelines and CNG infrastructure, points to the strategic importance of gas in Nigeria’s energy transition and economic development plans.
The success of these initiatives will depend on the completion of ongoing projects, sustained investment, reliable gas supply, effective safety regulation and wider access to gas-powered transportation and cleaner household energy.
As Nigeria continues to pursue its gas development agenda, the expansion of infrastructure and domestic demand will remain important factors in determining how effectively the country can translate its natural gas resources into economic and social benefits.