The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has officially issued Permits to Access Flare Gas to 28 successful companies under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), marking a significant shift from the environmental problem of gas flaring to an economic opportunity for the country’s upstream petroleum industry.

The ceremony for issuing the permits took place on Friday, December 12, 2025, in Abuja, and was attended by key industry stakeholders. The awarded companies, including Ace Energy Limited, Afagaf Company Limited, AGH Lero, and Amazon Energy Limited, among others, now have the official authorization to access and utilize gas that was previously being flared at various sites.

In his address, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), emphasized that the issuance of these permits marks the beginning of a transformation in Nigeria’s approach to flare gas. By moving from environmental harm to economic gain, the country aims to reduce emissions, strengthen energy security, and unlock new economic opportunities. This initiative is a critical part of Nigeria’s broader ambition to achieve its net-zero target and contribute to the global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Komolafe also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose leadership and reform-driven policies have been pivotal in supporting the petroleum sector. He highlighted the Executive Orders issued by the President in 2024, which align with the goals of the NGFCP and underscore Nigeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability and energy diversification.

The NGFCP, which was redesigned following the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), aims to commercialize flare gas in a way that ensures transparency and competitiveness. From an initial pool of 300 expressions of interest, 139 applicants proceeded to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage, and 42 bidders were eventually awarded 49 flare sites.

These efforts are expected to bring numerous benefits to Nigeria, including the reduction of 6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, the creation of over 100,000 jobs, and the attraction of up to US$2 billion in investments. The program is also expected to generate approximately 170,000 metric tons of LPG annually, providing clean energy access to around 1.4 million households, while unlocking up to 3GW of power generation potential.

Komolafe further noted that the NGFCP Forum and the College of Awardees have been established to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the new permit holders, as well as to support the implementation of their projects.

The Commission also revealed that it has enhanced its engagement with international financiers and technology partners to ensure the success of the program. Despite the completion of the bidding process, Komolafe emphasized that the real work is just beginning. Engineering, construction, and financing for the flare gas utilization projects must now proceed, and NUPRC will continue to provide regulatory support throughout the process to ensure that all milestones and obligations are met.

In conclusion, the issuance of the Permits to Access Flare Gas signifies the start of an exciting chapter for Nigeria’s energy sector, with the potential to positively impact the environment, create jobs, and enhance the country’s energy security. The NUPRC remains committed to closely monitoring the implementation of these projects and addressing any emerging challenges to ensure their successful realization.