By Folarin Kehinde
For decades, Nigeria has remained one of Africa’s largest producers of crude oil and natural gas. Yet, across oilfields in the Niger Delta, billions of cubic feet of valuable natural gas are either burned through routine flaring or lost through leaks and venting, depriving the country of electricity, cooking gas, industrial growth, government revenue and cleaner air.
The economic consequences are enormous.
Analysis of data from the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Gas Flare Tracker shows that Nigeria lost an estimated $5.5 billion (about ₦8.7 trillion) worth of natural gas through routine gas flaring between 2021 and 2025.
The estimate represents only the direct market value of gas burned, based on satellite flare detection and average gas prices.
