By Joy Yesufu
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminate routine gas flaring by 2030 and achieve a 60 per cent reduction in methane emissions by 2035.
This is part of the efforts to promote environmentally sustainable oil and gas operations.
The commission made the commitment in a statement posted on its official X account on Friday to mark World Environment Day 2026.
According to the regulator, Nigeria has recorded significant progress in reducing routine gas flaring over the past three and a half decades, with flaring levels dropping from more than 80 per cent of associated gas production to approximately seven per cent today.
The NUPRC described the achievement as evidence of the country’s gradual transition towards cleaner and more environmentally responsible crude oil production practices.
As part of measures aimed at strengthening emissions management across the upstream petroleum sector, the commission said it recently directed operators to adopt credible Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems for methane and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories.
The regulator noted that the directive is intended to improve transparency, accountability and data accuracy in emissions reporting while supporting national and global climate objectives.
According to the commission, the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitments under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement, as well as recently introduced guidelines for methane and greenhouse gas management in the upstream oil and gas industry.
By restating its 2030 gas-flaring elimination target and 2035 methane-reduction goal, the NUPRC underscored its determination to ensure regulatory compliance and monitor industry progress toward achieving Nigeria’s climate and environmental commitments.
The commission also reiterated the importance of balancing environmental sustainability with continued growth in the country’s upstream petroleum sector, stressing that responsible resource development remains central to Nigeria’s energy transition objectives.
