Nigeria's average daily natural gas production rose to 7.93 billion standard cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in May 2026, representing a modest 0.63% year-on-year increase from the 7.88bcf/d recorded in the same month of 2025, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Non-Associated Gas (NAG) contributed 3.98bcf/d, slightly edging out Associated Gas (AG) production of 3.96bcf/d during the month. The NUPRC noted that the growing contribution of NAG reflects the maturation of dedicated gas projects aimed at diversifying Nigeria's energy production profile.
Total gas production eased marginally by 0.12% from the 7.94bcf/d recorded in April 2026. The year-to-date average production stood at 7.87bcf/d, improving from 7.82bcf/d posted in the first quarter. Monthly output has trended upward since the start of the year, rising from 7.80bcf/d in January to 7.81bcf/d in February, 7.85bcf/d in March, and 7.94bcf/d in April, before settling at 7.93bcf/d in May.
On the utilisation side, export sales accounted for about 40% of total production at 3.07bcf/d. Domestic gas sales rose to 2.18bcf/d, representing 26.6% of total utilisation, in line with the government's push to support power generation and gas-based manufacturing under the national gas expansion agenda. Approximately 2.11bcf/d (26.5%) was consumed for field operations and own use, while gas flaring accounted for 0.57bcf/d, or 6.9% of total output.
The commission noted that Nigeria utilised about 92% of its natural gas production between January and April 2026, reflecting continued progress in reducing routine gas flaring. During that four-month period, the country produced 947.78 billion standard cubic feet (Bscf) of gas, of which 872.69Bscf was utilised for domestic supply, exports and field operations, while 57.34Bscf was flared.
Nigeria holds one of Africa's largest proven natural gas reserves, estimated at over 200 trillion cubic feet, and has committed to ending routine gas flaring by 2030 while expanding domestic gas availability for industrialisation and electricity generation. In October 2025, the NUPRC unveiled a Gas Development Roadmap targeting over 55 trillion cubic feet of uncommitted gas reserves, aiming to attract billions of dollars in new investment across the value chain.
