Abuja: Key stakeholders across government, civil society, and industries have called for stronger regulatory coordination and accelerated action on methane abatement in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. They made the call at the Methane Emission Abatement in the Oil and Gas Industry Regulatory Dialogue organised by the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and other partners.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the SDN Country Director, Mrs. Florence Ibok-Abasi, stated that the gathering marked a turning point in efforts to harmonise regulatory approaches, highlighting collaboration as critical to achieving meaningful climate outcomes. Ibok-Abasi stressed that fragmented regulatory approaches have slowed progress in the past, noting that the current engagement aimed to align priorities, strengthen enforcement, and build lasting institutional coordination. She emphasised the importance of breaking down silos and ensuring genuine coordination among all stakeholders.
Dr. Jude Samuelson, Head of Environment and Climate Change at SDN, highlighted methane reduction as one of the fastest and most effective strategies for tackling climate change globally. He noted that the initiative was designed to ensure regulators and operators work hand in hand to deliver measurable results. However, he identified the high cost of methane abatement technologies as a major constraint, calling for stronger government-industry partnerships to make such solutions more accessible and scalable in Nigeria.
Mr. Chukwuemeka Okebugwu of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) pointed out that methane is a significant contributor to global warming, particularly in oil-producing countries like Nigeria. He stressed the importance of regular dialogues to develop practical solutions and explore opportunities, such as converting methane into useful energy.
Mr. Odafe Atebe, Technical Advisor on Health, Safety, Environment, and Community to Mr. Saidu Mohammed, CEO of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), highlighted the need for methane abatement as a cost-effective pathway for Nigeria to achieve climate goals without compromising energy security. He emphasised the necessity of moving beyond discussions to coordinated action across the entire oil and gas value chain.
Ibrahim Jilo, Senior Manager at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), acknowledged that while progress has been made, challenges remain in ensuring compliance across a diverse and evolving industry landscape. He stressed the importance of tailored approaches, capacity building, and sustained engagement with operators.
From the civil society standpoint, Tengi George-Kalu of the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) urged stakeholders to ensure that methane reduction efforts translate into tangible benefits for communities affected by oil and gas operations. She highlighted the need for collaboration to move from policy ambition to real implementation and enforcement.