Nigeria’s natural gas export sector has recorded a milestone, with volumes reaching their highest level in 15 months.
This surge, driven by renewed international demand and strategic utilisation of Nigeria’s vast gas reserves, is reinforcing the country’s status as a key player in the global energy market.
According to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigeria exported approximately 83,370 million standard cubic feet (mmscf) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in April 2025, the highest monthly volume recorded since January 2024.
This marks a dramatic rebound for Africa’s leading LNG exporter and underscores the growing reliance on Nigerian gas across international markets.
The rebound in export volumes follows a fluctuating pattern observed in recent months. In January 2025, Nigeria exported 81,371 mmscf, followed by a dip to 65,129 mmscf in February, and a recovery to 80,468 mmscf in March.
In contrast, the lowest point within the last 15 months occurred in April 2024, when the country managed just 65,121 mmscf, underscoring the significance of the current upswing.
Global shifts driving demand
Industry experts attribute the increased demand for Nigerian gas to a combination of global supply disruptions and changing energy policies.
With traditional LNG suppliers facing production setbacks, countries in Europe and Asia are increasingly turning to Nigeria to bolster their energy security and transition away from more polluting fossil fuels like coal and oil.
“Demand for Nigerian gas is significantly influenced by customers’ ability to offtake,” said Dipo Ashafa, vice president of operations and asset management at Chappal Energies Mauritius Limited. “With LNG exports, there are long-term contracts and established cargo evacuation systems in place. That makes them more resilient compared to the domestic gas market, which often suffers from infrastructure and pipeline issues.”
Ashafa noted that, while domestic gas utilisation faces hurdles such as unreliable pipelines and inconsistent demand from manufacturers and power plants, the export sector benefits from more structured and predictable demand.
Changing trade dynamics
The International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL) recently reported that Nigeria’s LNG exports grew modestly by 0.8 metric tonnes in 2024, bringing the total to 14 metric tonnes. This growth was attributed to improved feed gas availability and flexible trading strategies employed by portfolio players marketing Nigeria LNG volumes globally.
Notably, there has been a significant shift in destination markets. About 50 percent of Nigeria’s LNG exports in 2024 were shipped to Asian countries, with China and India leading the list. This marks a notable reversal from 2023, when over half of the LNG exports were destined for Europe, while only one-third went to Asia. In 2025, the share delivered to Europe decreased to around one-third, reflecting a rebalancing of global LNG flows.
According to GIIGNL, “Flexible volumes from Nigeria LNG, largely marketed by portfolio players, shifted destination patterns in response to evolving price signals.” It highlighted the nimbleness of Nigerian LNG in reacting to market dynamics.
Long-term revenue
Nigeria’s prominence in the global LNG market has yielded significant economic benefits. Figures from Trade Map indicate that the country has earned more than $40 billion in revenue from LNG exports over the past eight years. These earnings have helped solidify Nigeria’s place among the world’s top LNG suppliers, while also providing critical foreign exchange (FX) revenue for the government.
However, the export sector is not without its challenges. One of the major constraints has been the force majeure declared at the Bonny LNG terminal, Nigeria’s primary LNG processing and export facility. The situation, which began in October 2022 following extensive flooding in the Niger Delta region, has persisted and continues to affect feed gas availability.
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) acknowledged this limitation in a recent report, stating, “The fall in Nigeria’s LNG exports was due to lower feed gas availability. The force majeure on the Bonny LNG facility declared in October 2022, following widespread flooding, has remained in place.”
Despite this, the recent uptick in April suggests that the country is navigating these obstacles with renewed urgency and strategic focus.
Outlook
With energy demand forecast to remain strong, especially as countries ramp up climate commitments and look for cleaner alternatives to coal and oil, Nigeria is well-positioned to benefit from the global LNG market.
Analysts expect that if Nigeria can maintain stable production, resolve infrastructural bottlenecks, and restore full capacity at its Bonny terminal, export volumes may continue to rise throughout 2025. The government’s ongoing gas commercialisation and infrastructure expansion efforts could also play a pivotal role in securing long-term growth. (BusinessDay)
