Nigeria doubles down on leveraging natural gas, to stop energy poverty
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Federal authorities have reiterated commitment to industrialise the country on the back of several gas initiatives, including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Project linking the Trans Sahara Pipeline to the expanding European market.
Petroleum Resources Minister of State Timipre Sylva emphasised this at a dinner with the diplomatic community in Abuja, stressing gas is the only single energy source that can help Nigeria diversify its economy.
Nigeria has proven gas reserves of 206 trillion cubic feet (tcf) with a potential upside of up to 600tcf
“Energy is the basic resource for national socio-economic development and it must be secured at all times,” Sylva said.
“As a result of its rising impact on national security and economy, the need to safeguard energy and ensure availability, reliability and affordability has made energy diplomacy an essential part of every country’s foreign cooperation.
“It is important to stress that Nigeria’s vehicle of choice on the energy transition journey is natural gas.
“Much has been done towards harnessing this huge potential to provide the energy needed for our growing population in terms of power generation, transport, feedstock for industries and clean cooking solutions.”
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Energy poverty
Sylva said Nigeria’s energy poverty in the midst of enormous natural resources in oil, gas, and mining is not acceptable, per reporting by The PUNCH.
“It is disheartening that Nigeria is still energy-poor despite our enormous energy resources, which include over 200tcf of proven natural gas reserve with a potential upside of up to 600tcf.
“Majority of our people still lack access to reliable electricity and clean cooking fuels, and our pursuit is to significantly reduce this menace, with the hope of ending energy poverty in the country soonest.”
To reap the benefit gas resources, he told the audience, Abuja has increased natural gas utilisation under the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP).
“We have rolled out the Autogas scheme with the aim of displacing PMS with CNG and LPG. This will reduce PMS use and minimise CO2 emissions.”
Nigeria’s energy industry is undergoing positive reforms with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, Sylva added.
