Tinubu orders NLNG to boost domestic gas supply, end flaring
By Aboki Forex —
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigeria LNG Limited to increase domestic gas utilisation, end gas flaring, and make Nigeria's gas resources more affordable. He spoke on Wednesday, August 26, when the NLNG Board and Executive Leadership, led by Managing Director Adeleye Falade, visited the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu said Nigeria's natural resources would have little economic value if they remained untapped or failed to improve citizens' lives. He urged NLNG to balance international revenue growth with domestic access and affordability.
Convert flaring to economic resource
The President specifically challenged NLNG to develop solutions for gas currently being flared. He said the practice creates environmental problems while wasting a potentially valuable economic resource.
"My major concern is the domestic utilization. You must be able to take out the flaring and convert potential environmental liability to what could be strategically and economically beneficial to the consumers in the republic," Tinubu said.
He acknowledged NLNG's expansion efforts and rising international demand, but insisted Nigerians must also benefit through improved domestic supply and lower energy costs. Tinubu praised the board and management for sustaining the company's vision, and assured NLNG of additional government incentives to support growth.
100% of cooking gas stays in Nigeria
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Falade said Tinubu's emphasis on domestic energy availability matches NLNG's plans to expand production, especially through the ongoing Train 7 project.
Falade said NLNG currently sends all its cooking gas to the Nigerian market and has no plans to change that arrangement.
"So we're not only generating revenue, but we're also generating employment. But we're making cooking gas available domestically. 100% of our cooking gas in Nigeria comes into the Nigerian market, and nothing is going to change from that," he said.
He added that once Train 7 is completed, NLNG's capacity to supply cooking gas to the domestic market would rise by 50%. The expected increase would directly support Tinubu's call for Nigerians to benefit more from the country's abundant gas resources.
What it means for consumers
If NLNG delivers on the directive and Train 7 comes on stream, domestic cooking gas supply could rise significantly, which may help moderate prices for Nigerian households and businesses that have faced repeated gas price swings.