Nigeria's Gas Producers Export 62% Amid Power Shortages

In the first quarter of 2026, Nigeria's gas producers supplied 62% of their output to foreign markets, according to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The average daily production during this period was 4.832 billion standard cubic feet (bscf), with allocations increasingly skewed towards exports, leaving the domestic market under pressure.

Domestic gas supply averaged 1.906 bscf daily, dropping to 1.763 bscf in February and 1.855 bscf in March. The allocation to thermal power plants nationwide declined sharply by 25%, correlating with ongoing electricity supply shortages.

The average daily gas supply for industrial users remained relatively flat, indicating constraints in manufacturing and petrochemical output. The cook gas market faced a supply deficit, with a shortfall of approximately 400 metric tons daily.

This situation has forced households to revert to alternative fuels like charcoal and firewood. The federal government has inaugurated a gas power monitoring committee to address these persistent supply challenges.