By Muhammad Mamman
As geopolitical tensions rock the Middle East, Nigeria is emerging as an unlikely winner in the global energy scramble.
The ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran has disrupted major energy supply routes including the critical Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of the world’s oil shipments creating fresh commercial openings for Nigerian liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes.
Executive Vice President of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Olalekan Ogunleye, made the declaration while speaking at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston.
He noted that buyers are showing stronger interest in Nigerian LNG due to supply disruptions and the need for diversified sources.
“We see commercial opportunities on top of the fact that we have the most gas reserves in Africa,” Ogunleye said, highlighting Nigeria’s strategic position and proximity to key consuming markets.
Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), where NNPC is the largest shareholder, currently has the capacity to export up to 22 million metric tons per year. The company is already in talks to add two new LNG trains and is advancing a major 12 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) project to tap into the country’s vast gas reserves.
Industry observers point out that the conflict has accelerated the push for supply diversification, giving African producers like Nigeria a stronger foothold in global markets.
This comes amid broader efforts by the Nigerian government to boost crude oil and gas output, with calls for operators to ramp up production to meet both domestic needs and international demand.
While the war has triggered global energy price shocks including higher crude oil prices and domestic fuel costs in Nigeria NNPC views the situation as a chance for the country to regain its edge as a reliable energy supplier. Improved security in the Niger Delta and a more stable policy environment are supporting this momentum, with projections for a modest increase in oil output.
Ogunleye emphasized that demand for natural gas remains resilient despite the tensions, positioning Nigeria to play a bigger role in ensuring global energy security.
As the Israel-Iran conflict continues to reshape energy flows, Nigeria’s vast resources and expanding LNG infrastructure could transform a regional crisis into a long-term economic advantage — provided the country moves swiftly to capitalize on the moment.
