The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Orji Ogbonnaya, has warned that Nigeria’s pledge to climate action will remain hollow if methane pollution from the oil and gas sector is not urgently addressed.

He also declared the end of business-as-usual in the management of methane emissions across Nigeria’s extractive industries, warning that continued neglect of the potent greenhouse gas undermines the country’s climate ambitions and economic well-being.

He stated that the gas flare losses may amount to over $2.29bn (3.43tn) in five years, if it is not given greater attention.

Speaking at a policy dialogue organised by the Natural Resource Governance Institute during the weekend in Abuja, Orji said the country cannot continue to project itself as climate-conscious while turning a blind eye to the severe environmental and economic dangers posed by unchecked methane emissions.

“Nigeria cannot claim seriousness on climate commitments if we ignore the silent crisis of methane pollution across our extractive industries. Methane action is climate action, economic action, and social justice.

“Methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years. Ignoring methane is ignoring the heart of the problem,” Orji said, urging urgent reforms in regulation, transparency, and enforcement across the oil and gas value chain.

Methane is a colourless, odourless, and highly flammable greenhouse gas with the chemical formula CH₄. It is the main component of natural gas.

The dialogue, themed “Strengthening Public Accountability and Compliance in Methane Emission Management in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector”, brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector.

Orji emphasised that while Nigeria has made national and international commitments, including the Global Methane Pledge, implementation remains weak, and the country is at risk of losing credibility in global climate negotiations.

He stated that announced that Nigeria must institutionalise a robust and enforceable methane governance regime aligned with international standards.

“Regulatory compliance and accountability on emissions are not optional. They are necessary for public health, investor confidence, and Nigeria’s future in international fossil fuel trade,” he said.

He disclosed that NEITI had already begun integrating climate reporting into its core operations in line with the 2023 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Standard, and would no longer publish any report without emissions data.

“Let me be clear: NEITI will no longer publish industry reports without climate and emissions data. This is a new standard and a non-negotiable requirement going forward,” he said.

According to Orji, NEITI’s newly adopted Energy Transition and Climate Accountability Framework will guide its approach to emission tracking, just transition planning and climate governance.

Citing findings from NEITI’s audit report, Orji disclosed that Nigeria flared 183.4 billion standard cubic feet of gas in 2023, slightly lower than the 188.5 billion SCF flared in 2022, representing a marginal reduction of 2.7 per cent.

At a market rate of $2.50 per thousand SCF, the volume flared in 2023 amounts to approximately $458.52m (N685.95bn) in economic loss.

“Based on prevailing market rates, $2.50 per thousand SCF, the economic value of the gas flared in 2023 alone stands at approximately $458.52m (N685.95bn). Extrapolated over five years at current flaring levels, Nigeria would lose over $2.29bn or N3.43tn in potential revenue. This is money that could fund hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and climate resilience programs in host communities,” he said.

The NEITI boss further called on the National Assembly and regulatory agencies to strengthen enforcement provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act, particularly around gas flaring and methane controls.

“The Gas Flaring, Venting and Methane Emissions (Prevention of Waste and Pollution) Regulations, 2023, provide a strong foundation. But NEITI insists that exclusive permits to access flare gas must be transparently issued, independently monitored, and revoked when operators default,” he stated.

Going forward, Orji announced that NEITI would, “Integrate methane monitoring into solid minerals and gas audits, publish annual Methane Emissions Scorecards for extractive companies, push for penalties and incentives tied to emission performance and engage the judiciary for legal enforcement of environmental compliance.”

In her opening remark, the Senior Officer at NRGI Nigeria, Tengi George-Ikoli, said the dialogue was aimed at identifying gaps and pushing for harmonized methane emissions regulation across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.

She warned that Nigeria’s access to European energy markets could be compromised under the EU’s impending methane emissions standards if reforms are not urgently pursued.

“Nigeria trades about 47 per cent of its oil and gas resources with the EU. If we do not put the right technologies and laws in place, we risk losing access to these markets. Without deliberate and sustained action to reduce these emissions, we risk undermining our own national climate goals—and compromising the health and well-being of frontline communities across the Niger Delta and beyond,” she cautioned.