LE BRIEF

Nigeria: NNPC disputes gas shortage explanation for electricity difficulties

LE BRIEF • 2026-11-09

The national oil company says its NGIC subsidiary’s gas transport network remains available. The dispute highlights coordination challenges across the gas-to-power chain.

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) disputes explanations linking Nigeria’s power generation difficulties to unavailability of its gas network. In a statement dated 6 November and published the following day, the group says its NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) subsidiary’s infrastructure remains operational. The response follows the Nigerian Independent System Operator’s (NISO) 5 November statement connecting lower generation to insufficient gas supply for thermal plants and reduced water inflows for hydropower. The contrasting positions underline the need to reconcile data across the energy chain. An available network does not guarantee every delivery NNPC reports that national gas production has risen by approximately 10% since the beginning of 2026. It nevertheless distinguishes transport network capacity from commercial supply arrangements, actual deliveries and the operating condition of power stations. That distinction matters. Pipelines can remain technically available while a plant does not receive enough fuel because of supply constraints, contracts or other operational difficulties. Infrastructure availability alone therefore cannot establish the position of every electricity producer. Strengthening coordination The group advocates a joint assessment involving gas producers, transporters, plant operators and electricity system managers. Reconciling...