Nigeria leads sub-Saharan Africa in methane emissions, with oil and gas operations threatening public health and economic stability despite policy reforms.
Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is now the largest contributor to methane pollution in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for about 16% of the region’s emissions from 2010 to 2020. Experts warn that flaring over five billion cubic feet of gas in 2023 alone has worsened respiratory illnesses, degraded farmland, and reduced fish stocks in Niger Delta communities.
Speaking at a forum in Abuja, Ms. Tengi George-Ikoli of NRGI said, “What oil- and gas-producing communities are experiencing reflects a gap between policy ambition and outcomes on the ground. Despite Nigeria’s commitments, methane remains a daily health and livelihood challenge.” Experts stressed that strong enforcement, independent verification, and community collaboration are crucial for meaningful methane reduction.