Nigeria wastes enough gas to Ggenerate 62,400GWh of electricity amid deepening energy crisis — NOSDRA

Nigeria lost an estimated 62,400 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of potential electricity generation to gas flaring between 2024 and 2025, despite grappling with chronic power shortages and repeated national grid failures, according to data from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

The figure represents an 18.6 per cent increase from the 50,800GWh of electricity potential lost between 2022 and 2023, highlighting the country’s continued struggle to curb routine gas flaring despite policies aimed at harnessing natural gas for domestic energy needs.

In May 2026 alone, approximately 3,100GWh of electricity generation potential was lost through gas flaring, with the wasted gas valued at about $107.5 million.

The continued flaring of associated gas poses a major setback to the Federal Government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative, which seeks to transform Nigeria into a gas-powered economy by 2030.

The latest figures underscore the paradox at the heart of Nigeria’s energy sector. While thermal power stations across the country frequently operate below capacity due to inadequate gas supply, large volumes of associated gas produced during crude oil extraction continue to be flared instead of being captured for electricity generation or industrial use.

According to NOSDRA, the gas flared between 2024 and 2025 had an estimated market value of $2.2 billion.

The agency also estimated that operators liable for the flaring owe about $1.2 billion in statutory penalties, although enforcement has remained weak. Industry experts say many oil producers consider it less costly to pay penalties or challenge them than to invest in gas gathering and processing infrastructure.

Nigeria’s electricity generation has consistently remained below national demand, with grid output often fluctuating below 5,000 megawatts despite the country’s vast natural gas reserves.

Beyond the economic losses, experts warn that persistent gas flaring continues to inflict severe environmental damage across oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.

The practice releases significant quantities of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and deteriorating air quality.

According to environmental data, more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s gas flaring occurs onshore, exposing communities in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Imo states to prolonged pollution.

Environmental experts say emissions from flare stacks contribute to acid rain, which damages crops, contaminates water sources and corrodes buildings, while the intense heat generated by continuous flaring affects soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

Medical professionals have also raised concerns over the long-term health effects of gas flaring on residents living near oil production facilities.

Communities located close to flare sites have reported increased cases of respiratory illnesses, asthma, skin diseases, eye irritation and cardiovascular conditions linked to prolonged exposure to soot and toxic emissions.

Energy law researcher Dr. Saheed Abudu said residents of several oil-producing communities continue to bear the environmental and health consequences of gas flaring while receiving little benefit from the country’s energy resources.

“In communities like Oloibiri, Egbema and Ughelli, residents are exposed daily to toxic emissions, polluted water and deteriorating environmental conditions, even as energy that could power homes and industries is burned into the atmosphere,” he said.

Nigeria has introduced several policies to eliminate routine gas flaring, including the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the Gas Flaring, Venting and Methane Emissions Regulations 2023. However, implementation has remained slow, with previous deadlines to end routine flaring repeatedly extended.

The Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) was established to encourage investors to capture and utilise flared gas for electricity generation and industrial purposes, but progress has been hindered by regulatory delays, inadequate infrastructure and security challenges.

Environmental groups and energy analysts have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of anti-flaring regulations, increased investment in gas gathering infrastructure and reforms that would ensure associated gas is utilised to boost electricity generation rather than wasted.

They argue that ending routine gas flaring would not only reduce environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions but also strengthen Nigeria’s electricity supply and support the country’s broader economic development goals.