The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has unveiled a gas-driven transition plan aimed at ending routine gas flaring by 2030 and cutting methane emissions by 60 percent by 2031.

This was disclosed by the Commission’s Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, on Wednesday at the ongoing 24th Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week conference.

In his keynote address at a strategic session titled “Positioning Nigeria’s Upstream Oil & Gas for Energy Security, Sustainability and Economic Resilience,” Komolafe said the gas-centric strategy would help monetise Nigeria’s vast gas reserves while creating thousands of green jobs.

He noted that the initiative is backed by key government programmes, including the Decade of Gas, the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative.

“Nigeria is building Liquefied Natural Gas capacity, deploying floating infrastructure, and leading cross-border pipeline development to fuel not only its own economy, but Africa’s industrial renaissance.

“Further anchoring this ambition is Nigeria’s Upstream Decarbonisation Framework, which integrates emissions tracking, MRV systems, carbon capture, and climate finance access through carbon markets.

“These aren’t just policies; they are opportunities for investment, innovation, and inclusive growth,” he said.

Komolafe recalled that in March 2025, the Commission inaugurated the Decarbonisation and Energy Sustainability Forum and officially designated March 18 as Nigeria’s Upstream Decarbonisation Day.

He said the annual event is intended to serve as a rallying point for stakeholders to monitor progress, exchange ideas, and fast-track climate-aligned development in the upstream sector.