Bouyer Lauds Nigeria’s Gas Development Momentum Amidst a ‘Supportive Policy Environment’

Nigeria is making significant progress in unlocking its vast gas resources, driven by stronger government policies, regulatory reforms and investment incentives aimed at positioning gas as a key pillar of the country's energy future.

This was the view of the Managing Director, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Matthieu Bouyer, during a strategic panel session titled “Synchronising Gas Strategies: Strengthening Energy Security” at the opening ceremony of the 25th NOG Energy Week Conference and Exhibition held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Speaking on Nigeria's growing gas ambitions, Bouyer highlighted the impact of recent government reforms on investor confidence and project development.

“There has been a lot of effort by the government over the last three years on regulations and investment incentives, especially for non-associated gas,” Mr Bouyer said. “The conditions are clearly on the right track to unlock these gas volumes. More importantly, there is a growing willingness to develop gas as an alternative energy solution, and that momentum is coming from Nigeria itself.”

According to him, the supportive policy environment has already begun to yield tangible results across the industry. 

“We have seen many fruits from government efforts, which have led to major projects,” he noted. “TotalEnergies' Ubeta Project received its Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2024, and another project is expected very soon. There is a pipeline of investments that may not have materialised without the positive atmosphere created by the authorities. The potential is clearly there.”

Addressing concerns over global gas market disruptions witnessed in recent years, Bouyer emphasised the central role gas continues to play in energy security worldwide.

“Gas is a transition energy, but beyond that, it remains essential,” he said. “If gas supplies were suddenly cut in Europe, populations would immediately feel the impact: either enduring extreme heat in summer or extreme cold in winter. We experienced similar pressure during previous supply disruptions when demand for gas increased significantly.”

Mr Bouyer said Nigeria occupies a strategic position in the global energy landscape, particularly because of its reliability as a supplier.

“Nigeria has an important role to play. Even during recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Nigerian energy exports continued to flow uninterrupted. That consistency and reliability are valuable. This is why unlocking Nigeria's gas resources is important not only for domestic consumption but also for export markets,” he pointed out.

His remarks were echoed by fellow panellists, who agreed that Nigeria's gas resources will play an increasingly influential role in the global energy ecosystem as countries seek secure and diversified energy supplies.

Earlier during the opening ceremony, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, presented a scorecard of the national oil company since April 2025. 

Reinforcing the importance of collaboration across the industry, Mr Ojulari stated: “No nation, no company, and no institution can unlock its energy reserves in isolation.”

In his ministerial address, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said Nigeria is increasingly transforming its natural gas wealth into a key driver of economic growth. “With Nigeria's 2.5 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, the country is moving from a nation possessing gas to a nation driven by gas,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, credited recent sector-wide collaboration for the industry's successes. 

“The achievements recorded over the last three years have been collective,” Senator Lokpobiri said. “In my latest weekly report from NUPRC, we have reached 1.28 million barrels per day, including condensates.” 

The minister also addressed industry concerns about multiple taxation, a matter previously raised by OPTS. According to him, the government has commissioned PwC to conduct a global benchmarking study on taxation frameworks in the sector. “The report will be reviewed to resolve the issue once and for all,” he assured stakeholders.

As part of activities at the conference, a ministerial delegation toured exhibition stands across the venue. At TotalEnergies exhibition pavilion, Executive Director, Strategy, Business Assets and Management, Abiodun Afolabi, welcomed a high-profile delegation that included the two ministers, NNPC GCEO and the Special Adviser to the President on Oil & Gas, Olu Verheijen, among other dignitaries.

Industry stakeholders at the conference generally agreed that with sustained reforms, investment incentives and policy stability, Nigeria is increasingly positioned to leverage its gas resources to enhance domestic energy security while strengthening its role as a reliable supplier to international markets.