- Experts call for urgent conversion of flared gas into power and revenue.
- Modular gas solutions could unlock billions and reduce environmental damage.
Energy and environmental experts urge the Federal Government to harness gas flaring in Nigeria for economic growth. They warn that continuous flaring wastes valuable resources, harms the environment, and restricts industrial development.
For more than five decades, gas flaring in Nigeria has plagued the Niger Delta. Every day, millions of cubic feet of gas pollute the atmosphere. The practice damages local ecosystems, endangers public health, and deprives the nation of crucial economic benefits.
Oil engineer Charles Deigh stated that Nigeria can convert flared gas into wealth using modular and small-scale technologies. He noted that several countries have turned waste gas into power, fuel, and other profitable products.
According to him, large liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects require steady, high-volume gas supplies that smaller fields cannot provide. However, modular systems like micro-LNG plants can liquefy five to fifty million cubic feet daily. These smaller facilities can deliver gas to factories, mini-grids, or export terminals.
Deigh added that decentralised gas-to-power plants near host communities could generate local electricity and create employment. Such systems also support Nigeria’s energy transition and help reduce harmful emissions.
Despite government initiatives like the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), limited funding and poor infrastructure still slow progress. Many operators prefer burning gas because it costs less than building capture systems.
Deigh emphasised that adopting modular gas solutions would cut pollution, meet climate targets, and increase national revenue. “Gas flaring is burning wealth into the air,” he said. “If Nigeria channels even part of this energy into power and manufacturing, the economy will grow, jobs will rise, and the naira will strengthen.”
Environmental expert Dr Caleb Joel Nwaogwugwu agreed, stressing that Nigeria already has the technology, skilled workers, and policy support to stop flaring. However, he said urgency and more decisive action remain essential.
He explained that Nigeria could match international success stories with bold investments and clear reforms. Capturing even half of the flared gas could generate billions yearly, power homes, and support industries nationwide.
“The choice is simple,” he said. “We either burn our future or convert waste into wealth. With commitment from government, investors, and communities, the Niger Delta can move from flare to fortune.”