The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, has reiterated the crucial role of natural gas in fuelling economic growth and industrial development.

Kyari spoke Wednesday at the public presentation of a book, ‘The Rise of Gas: From Gaslink to the Decade of Gas’, authored by Charles Osezua.

The GCEO highlighted gas’ global acceptance as a crucial energy source that sustains economic growth and drives industrial activities.

Represented by the company’s Head of Relationship and Stakeholder Management, Mrs Oluwakemi Olumuyiwa, Kyari also emphasised the importance of documenting Nigeria’s gas sector.

He underscored the significance of prioritising natural gas production and supply, particularly in the context of geopolitical dynamics and energy security in the global economy.

“With Nigeria boasting substantial gas reserves exceeding 200 trillion cubic feet and a potential to reach 600 tcf, the GCEO said it is pertinent Nigeria leverages the gas resource for sustainable development, energy security, and job creation,” a statement by the NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, said on Wednesday.

According to Kyari, the book aligns with the Federal Government’s ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative, which he said was aimed at optimising Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves for both domestic consumption and international export.

The NNPCL boss added that as a key stakeholder, the energy firm has played a leading role in advancing the ‘Decade of Gas’ agenda through strategic investments in critical gas infrastructure such as pipelines and processing facilities.

In his remarks, the author, Osezua, who described the unveiling of book as his significant contribution to Nigeria’s energy literature, expressed gratitude to the NNPCL for its support towards the book launch.

Osezua said NNPCL’s participation at the occasion underscored the Company’s commitment to fostering knowledge sharing and innovation within the gas industry.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Impact Investors Foundation and former Group Executive Director of NNPCL, Afolabi Oladele, lauded the book for its comprehensive insights into the gas value chain, saying it will be relevant to policymakers amid the global energy transition.

Nigeria has adopted gas as its transition fuel as President Bola Tinubu strives to make compressed natural gas available to all Nigerians in place of petrol.