NNPC Denies Gas Pipeline Constraints Are Behind Nigeria’s Declining Power Generation

According to a report by PUNCH on Saturday, November 7, 2026, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has rejected claims that problems with its gas transportation network are contributing to Nigeria’s declining electricity generation, insisting that its pipelines remain operational and capable of supplying gas to power plants nationwide.

The clarification comes amid growing concerns over worsening electricity supply, following an explanation by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) that linked the decline in power generation partly to limited gas availability and reduced water inflows into hydroelectric power stations.

In a statement released in Abuja on Saturday through its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, NNPC said there were no transportation-related restrictions within the network managed by its subsidiary, NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC), that could account for the reduction in electricity generation.

The national oil company also disclosed that its gas production volumes had increased by approximately 10 per cent in 2026 so far, attributing the growth to ongoing efforts to implement the Federal Government’s gas development and monetisation agenda.

“NNPC Limited confirms that gas transportation network operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited, remains available to support deliveries to power generating stations Nationwide without any constraints,” the statement said.

However, the company acknowledged that having an operational transportation network did not automatically mean that every stage of the gas-to-power supply chain was functioning effectively.

It explained that gas production, commercial supply agreements and actual deliveries to individual electricity generation plants were separate issues that needed to be examined independently.

NNPC further identified the operational condition of generating units, scheduled maintenance and the volume of gas actually received and utilised by power plants as important factors in determining the causes of reduced electricity generation.

According to the company, these issues must be investigated alongside available gas supply information to establish where the problems affecting electricity production originate.

The national oil company subsequently called for a joint assessment involving gas producers, transportation companies, electricity generators and NISO to identify specific obstacles and determine appropriate solutions.

The disagreement highlights the continuing challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity sector, where gas-fired power stations account for a significant proportion of electricity supplied to the national grid.

On November 5, NISO had identified insufficient gas availability and reduced hydroelectric output as contributing factors to the decline in electricity generation. However, NNPC maintained that its clarification was specifically about the operational condition of its transportation infrastructure.

The company did not provide figures showing the actual volume of gas delivered to individual power stations.

NNPC reiterated its commitment to working with relevant industry stakeholders to improve energy infrastructure and ensure that the country’s gas resources contribute to more reliable electricity supply.

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