By Atoyebi Nike
The Federal Government says Nigeria can meet the Global Methane Pledge goal of reducing emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, made the declaration in Abuja during a Sub-Saharan African Roundtable on Methane Emissions.
The meeting, organized by the International Energy Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and AFREC, focused on turning methane commitments into concrete action. Ekpo described methane as a highly potent greenhouse gas and said Nigeria has built strong capacity to manage it through sustained cuts in routine gas flaring and extensive mapping of flare sites.
He noted progress in the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, wider use of leak-detection and repair technologies, and increased LPG adoption in homes. Ongoing gas infrastructure projects under the Decade of Gas Initiative also support cleaner energy, economic growth, and better public health.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Emeka Obi, called the roundtable timely as global focus shifts from broad climate pledges to measurable results. He said methane reduction aligns with Nigeria’s environmental and economic priorities and that decades of flaring have caused major losses.
Obi added that strengthened regulations under the Petroleum Industry Act are reversing the trend by prohibiting unauthorized flaring and tightening oversight. He explained that Nigeria’s updated NDC commits to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 47 per cent by 2030 with support from international partners.
He urged African nations to treat methane reduction as a development tool that can open cleaner industries, better health outcomes, new jobs, and wider energy access.
