Beyond ‘Open Letters’: Nigeria’s energy sector is quietly winning

By ADEYEMI ADEGBOLA In recent weeks, a series of open letters and opinion pieces have sought to cast doubt on Nigeria’s energy sector reforms, questioning the direction of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and the policies of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. While constructive criticism is always welcomed, these largely non-factual commentaries, with blatant disregard for research, reveal a troubling disconnect from the facts on the ground. This article therefore seeks to provide a balanced perspective by highlighting the facts, achievements, and strategic initiatives currently shaping Nigeria’s future.

The objective is not to defend any entity or institution but to ensure that public discourse is anchored on validated facts rather than speculations or deliberately engineered misinformation. Over the past three years, the Tinubu administration has pursued a deliberate and coordinated strategy to transform Nigeria from a nation dependent on imported petroleum products into an integrated energy hub capable of powering its own industrialisation and that of the wider West African region. Beyond any rhetoric, this is a matter of public record.

We have so far witnessed a comprehensive overhaul of the gas sector, supported by the Decade of Gas initiative, the Presidential CNG and E-vehicle initiative, the Presidential Executive Order & Directive on gas development targeting 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, while catalysing over $60 billion in new investments across the oil and gas value chain. To ensure the realization of the Presidential mandate, NNPC Limited, in collaboration with its joint venture (JV) partners and key industry stakeholders, launched the NNPC Gas Master Plan on 31 January 2026 as the strategic framework for accelerating gas sector development and delivering Nigeria’s long-term energy ambitions. Recognizing that strategy without execution adds little or no value, NNPC Limited subsequently established a dedicated Gas Master Plan Implementation Assurance Team to drive delivery, track milestones, remove bottlenecks, and provide disciplined performance assurance across the portfolio of gas initiatives.

Though in its early stages yet, over 50% of the gas development target for 2026 has already been achieved. A major objective of the NNPC Gas Master Plan is ensuring that all…