Gas
Okwuosa warns against abandoning gas during energy transition
Oilserv founder Emeka Okwuosa has argued that Nigeria must continue utilizing its natural gas resources to ensure reliable power alongside renewable energy adoption.
Key points
- Oilserv founder Emeka Okwuosa stated that the energy transition must prioritize reliable power supplies.
- Achieving universal electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa by 2035 requires approximately $150 billion.
- Nigeria targets net-zero emissions by 2060 through its comprehensive Energy Transition Plan.
Balancing power needs
Speaking in Port Harcourt at an industry event hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Oilserv Group chairman Emeka Okwuosa cautioned that substituting fossil fuels entirely with renewables is impractical for powering factories and digital infrastructure. He noted that the transition must incorporate dependable energy sources such as natural gas.
According to World Bank figures from 2024, only 62.5 percent of Nigeria's population has access to electricity, highlighting the scale of the infrastructure challenge. Okwuosa referenced International Energy Agency estimates indicating that reaching universal electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa by 2035 will demand nearly $150 billion in funding annually, representing a sixfold increase over current spending levels.
Hurdles and strategic goals
Among the obstacles impeding progress are grid limitations, inadequate storage capacities, regulatory barriers, financing shortfalls, and cybersecurity threats. Okwuosa emphasized that Nigeria's strategy must address job creation, affordability, and energy security alongside emission reductions.
Frameworks such as the nation's Energy Transition Plan aim for net-zero emissions by 2060 across multiple sectors, including transport, power, and industry. Okwuosa also highlighted that energy firms are increasingly deploying digital tools to enhance efficiency, reduce gas flaring, and expand into smart grids and battery technologies.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
72.9% of electricity in Nigeria came from gas in 2024Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
