Nigeria’s oil sector faces major methane cuts as report and NGOs urge action

A new Carbon Limits study for the Clean Air Task Force identifies Nigeria as having the largest opportunity in Africa to cut methane emissions from oil and gas operations. Deploying leak detection, vapor recovery, improved flaring and pneumatic‑equipment replacement could reduce emissions by about 533 kt CH₄ per year at an estimated cost of $95 million, lower if recovered gas can be marketed. The report stresses that technology exists, but gaps in infrastructure, capital access and regulatory frameworks drive cost differences.

Civil‑society groups in the Niger Delta, including the Natural Resource Governance Institute and Policy Alert, are calling for stricter enforcement of Nigeria’s methane regulations. They warn that weak implementation continues to harm air quality, public health and local livelihoods, and they urge faster rollout of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme and clear penalties for violations.