Tinubu Tasks NLNG On Gas Flaring, Domestic Utilisation

By Adebola Muili

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tasked the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) with ending gas flaring and converting the country’s abundant gas resources into economic benefits for Nigerians.

The President gave the charge on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, when he received members of the NLNG Board, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Adeleye Falade, at the State House, Abuja.

Tinubu said while he was encouraged by the company’s efforts to expand its operations and increase revenue, greater attention must be paid to domestic utilisation of gas and ensuring that Nigerians benefit from the country’s energy resources.

“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,” the President said.

He urged the NLNG to consider the domestication of some energy requirements and appropriate pricing mechanisms that would make the benefits of the sector more accessible to ordinary Nigerians.

Tinubu also assured the company of his administration’s readiness to provide necessary incentives to stimulate growth and expand its capacity.

“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,” he said.

Earlier, Falade told the President that the delegation was at the State House to brief him on the company’s operations since the current management assumed office in April.

According to him, NLNG has generated more than $150 billion since inception, with its shareholders, including Nigeria, receiving about $47 billion in dividends. Nigeria holds a 49 per cent stake in the company.

Falade said the company had previously operated at about 60 per cent capacity because of inadequate crude oil production, limiting operations to four of its six available trains.

He, however, said increased oil production and positive developments in the oil and gas sector had enabled NLNG to raise its operational capacity to five trains, with further improvements expected.

The NLNG chief executive disclosed that all liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, produced by the company was currently directed to the domestic market.

He also said the company was keen to inaugurate Train Seven, which is expected to increase its capacity by 35 per cent, noting that NLNG currently accounts for about five per cent of the global LNG market.

Falade further said NLNG shareholders had commended the stability in Nigeria’s fiscal environment, which he said was attracting increased investment into the sector.

He also commended security agencies and oil and gas regulators for contributing to the stability being experienced in the industry.

The NLNG boss disclosed that the Bonny-Bodo Road and Bridge project, financed by the company, had been completed and was awaiting official commissioning.

Other members of the NLNG delegation included Deputy Managing Director, Olakunle Osobu; Board Director and Managing Director of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited and Country Chair, TotalEnergies Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer; Board Director, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Nigeria Agip Exploration, Maurizio Pinna; and General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall.

Manager, Government Relations and Regulatory Compliance, Abdul Umar; Head, Government Relations, Tonbrafa Nanaghan; and Senior Government Relations Advisor, Rufai Mohammed Lawal, were also present.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Energy Transition, Yasmin Mohammed, also attended the meeting.