NNPC: Gas network not responsible for drop in electricity generation – The Witness Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has rejected reports that operational problems within its gas transportation network are contributing to Nigeria’s declining electricity generation

The clarification comes amid growing concerns over worsening electricity supply, with homes and businesses in several parts of the country experiencing disruptions.

In a statement issued on Friday, Andy Odeh, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, said operational records from the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC), a subsidiary of the national oil company, showed no transportation-related constraints that could explain the current decline in power generation.

According to NNPC, its gas transportation facilities remain operational and capable of supporting deliveries to electricity-generating stations nationwide.

“NGIC’s operational records do not indicate transportation-related constraints within its network that explain the current decline in electricity generation,” Odeh said.

The company’s position follows an earlier explanation by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which identified inadequate gas availability and reduced water inflows into hydroelectric reservoirs as contributing factors behind the drop in electricity generation.

In its November 5 statement, NISO explained that insufficient gas supply had limited the ability of some thermal power stations to generate electricity at their available capacity. It also pointed to declining water inflows into reservoirs, which had affected output from hydroelectric plants.

However, NNPC says the condition of its transportation infrastructure should not be confused with the availability of gas at the production end or the actual volume delivered to individual power stations.

The national oil company argued that assessing the country’s gas-to-power challenges requires a clear distinction between gas production, commercial supply agreements, transportation capacity and actual deliveries to generating stations.

It maintained that an operational pipeline network does not automatically mean every power plant is receiving the volume of gas it needs to operate at full capacity.

NNPC also disclosed that gas production had increased by approximately 10 per cent year-to-date in 2026, attributing the growth to ongoing efforts to implement the Federal Government’s gas development and monetisation agenda.

The company said the increase demonstrated its continued commitment to expanding the country’s gas resources and supporting electricity generation.

“Gas supply availability is therefore not a challenge as NNPC remains committed to supporting efforts to improve electricity generation through safe, reliable and efficient gas supply and transportation,” the statement said.

Beyond defending its transportation network, NNPC has called for a comprehensive assessment of the entire gas-to-power value chain to establish what is preventing electricity generation from improving.

The company believes focusing solely on gas transportation would provide an incomplete picture of the challenges confronting the power sector.

It identified several areas that require closer examination, including the availability and operational readiness of generating units, scheduled maintenance at power stations and the actual volume of gas received and consumed by individual plants.

These factors, according to NNPC, determine whether available gas can effectively be converted into electricity and supplied to the national grid.

The company stressed that gas production, commercial supply arrangements and actual deliveries must be independently assessed rather than treated as a single operational issue.

It also called for closer cooperation among gas producers, transportation companies, electricity generators and NISO.

NNPC said a joint review of operational records would help identify where the problems exist and allow relevant stakeholders to determine the necessary interventions.

The company added that accurate information and transparent reporting across the gas-to-power chain were essential to resolving the crisis and maintaining public confidence.

“Our focus remains on dependable energy infrastructure and constructive collaboration that helps translate Nigeria’s gas resources into more reliable electricity for Nigerians,” it said.

NNPC’s clarification comes at a time when electricity supply remains a major concern for consumers across Nigeria.

The latest generation challenges have contributed to supply disruptions in several parts of the country, renewing questions about the reliability of the country’s power infrastructure.

Earlier on Saturday, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe identified scheduled maintenance at Egbin Power Station, gas supply limitations and the sabotage of transmission lines as some of the factors behind ongoing electricity outages affecting four states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.

Tegbe said the affected generating units would return to operation in phases, with the first units expected to come back online within 48 to 72 hours.

The development highlights the multiple pressures facing Nigeria’s electricity industry, where problems at generation facilities, gas supply arrangements and transmission infrastructure can combine to reduce the amount of electricity available to consumers.

While NNPC insists that its gas transportation network is not responsible for the current decline, the disagreement over the causes of the generation shortfall underscores the need for a coordinated assessment involving all stakeholders.

For millions of Nigerians dealing with unreliable electricity, however, the immediate concern remains when supply will improve and whether the promised interventions will translate into more hours of power.