Over the first five months of 2024, Nigeria flared enough natural gas to produce approximately 12,700 GWh of potential electricity—a loss estimated at ₦662 billion (US $445.6 million), according to National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) data. This reveals an 8% year‑on‑year increase in flared volume and financial loss, highlighting a troubling trend in resource wastage and environmental mismanagement.
This level of flaring represents both an economic opportunity and an environmental concern. The 12,700 GWh lost could have powered millions of homes, bridging key energy access gaps. Moreover, routine flaring remains illegal in Nigeria, yet persists due to weak enforcement of regulations and cost-saving strategies by operators.
Industry-wide reliance on gas flaring as a quicker and cheaper alternative to gas processing has enabled this downside trend. Roughly 70% of Nigeria’s associated gas is flared rather than captured or reinjected. Although the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act mandates flaring reduction, high taxes and poor monitoring persist, allowing companies to continue flaring with minimal accountability.
To curb these losses, experts argue for robust enforcement of existing flaring penalties under the Petroleum Industry Act and expansion of programs like the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialization Programme to convert flared gas into energy or industrial feedstock. With stricter compliance and improved infrastructure, Nigeria could reclaim billions of naira, generate clean energy, reduce emissions, and safeguard rural communities.
Flaring isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a lost economic opportunity. Curbing it could be a powerful step toward sustainable growth.