Nigeria is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for buyers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) has said.
Speaking at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, NNPCL Executive Vice President Olalekan Ogunleye said global energy disruptions have created fresh commercial opportunities for the country.
“Buyers are increasingly looking to Nigeria because of our proximity to key consuming nations and the scale of our gas reserves,” Ogunleye said. “We are 10 sailing days from Europe, close to the Atlantic Basin and near Asia. We see commercial opportunities on top of the fact that we have the most gas reserves in Africa.”
Ogunleye revealed that demand for natural gas has remained resilient despite geopolitical tensions, including the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has heightened interest in supply diversification. To capitalise on this, NNPCL has begun talks to add two new LNG trains and is pursuing a 12 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) LNG project alongside gas-based industrial hubs.
Nigeria LNG (NLNG), where NNPCL is the largest shareholder, currently exports up to 22 million mtpa and is constructing a seventh production train, due for completion in 2027.
Martin Houston, a veteran LNG consultant, said African and South American countries with untapped gas reserves could benefit from the rising global demand, including through floating LNG options.
The country’s LNG exports were hit in early 2025 by pipeline vandalism and sabotage in the Niger Delta, causing a 20% drop in shipments.
Nigeria LNG Ltd. reported that security challenges had disrupted supply to its plant. However, shipments have rebounded since 2024, signalling a gradual recovery.
NNPC Group CEO Bayo Ojulari also said Nigeria could increase crude oil production by about 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the coming months.
He noted that Nigeria averaged 1.6 to 1.7 million bpd last year and is targeting 1.8 million bpd in 2026, steadily building capacity though still behind leading global producers.
With its strategic location, abundant gas reserves, and investments in LNG infrastructure, Nigeria is well-positioned to attract more buyers, strengthen its export capacity, and capitalise on opportunities created by global energy shifts. The ongoing expansion and security improvements in the Niger Delta will be critical to sustaining this growth.