Tinubu urges NLNG to turn gas flaring into economic benefit
August 26, 2026 10:22 pm
FILE: President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday urged the management of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited to maximise the country’s gas reserves by reducing gas flaring and converting the resource into economic benefits for Nigerians.
Tinubu made the call when he received members of the NLNG Board, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, at the State House, Abuja.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday titled, ‘President Tinubu Urges NLNG Board to Convert Gas Flaring Into Economic Benefit for Nigeria.’
Tinubu said, “My major concern is the domestic utilisation, where 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 country.
“Yes, you are doing great to really want the revenue up and taking advantage of international interests so that Nigeria might be deriving benefits, but help us back home.”
He commended the NLNG management for increasing the company’s capacity and ensuring good returns on investment.
“I enjoy the teamwork and the way the NLNG is going, and you all, as team leaders, are giving value to what was the initial objective of the company.
“If any other incentive is needed to stimulate growth and expand your capacity, I will be willing to do that,” he said.
The President said Nigeria’s natural resources would have little value unless they were harnessed to serve the economy and improve the lives of citizens.
He said, “We look straight far into the future, and I believe that this country has what it takes; but whatever asset that we have in the ground is nothing unless it’s brought up to service the economy, the people, and realisation of a good return on investment.
“I think that is the primary focus. But think of the people, the need for domestication of some of these energy requirements and pricing mechanisms so that the ordinary man will feel it.”
Speaking earlier, Falade told the President that the NLNG Board was at the State House to brief him on the company’s operations since he assumed office as Managing Director in April.
He disclosed that the NLNG had generated more than $150bn since inception, with its shareholders, including the Federal Government, receiving about $47bn in dividends.
Nigeria holds a 49 per cent stake in the company.
Falade said the NLNG had previously operated at about 60 per cent capacity because of inadequate crude oil production, resulting in only four of its six available trains being operational.
He told the President that all LPG production, commonly known as cooking gas, was currently concentrated on the domestic market.
The NLNG chief also said increased oil production following developments in the oil and gas sector had enabled the company to raise its capacity to five trains, with further improvements expected.
He said the company was keen to inaugurate Train Seven, which would increase its capacity by 35 per cent, adding that the NLNG currently holds a five per cent share of the global LNG market.
Falade also said shareholders had commended the stability in Nigeria’s fiscal environment, which he said was attracting more investment.
He also commended security agencies and industry regulators for the stability currently being experienced in the sector.
Falade informed the President that the Bonny-Bodo Road and Bridge project, financed by the NLNG, had been completed and was awaiting official commissioning.
Other members of the NLNG team at the meeting included Deputy Managing Director, Olakunle Osobu; Board Director and Managing Director of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Matthieu Bouyer; Board Director and Managing Director of Nigeria Agip Exploration, Maurizio Pinna; and General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall.
Also present were the Manager, Government Relations and Regulatory Compliance, Abdul Umar; Head, Government Relations, Tonbrafa Nanaghan; and Senior Government Relations Adviser, Rufai Lawal.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Onanuga; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Energy Transition, Yasmin Mohammed, also attended the meeting.
With three years of experience, Stephen, The PUNCH correspondent, has been covering Nigeria’s presidency, politics, security, immigration and trafficking in persons
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