ABUJA, Nigeria –
The International Energy Agency (IEA), in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the African Energy Commission (AFREC), successfully convened a major regional roundtable in Abuja on November 24-25, 2025. The event, titled “Turning Methane Pledges into Action,” assembled over 100 policymakers, regulators, and industry experts from across Sub-Saharan Africa to formulate concrete strategies for cutting methane emissions in the oil and gas sector.
Hosted at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Building, the forum highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in methane governance. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), affirmed that achieving the Global Methane Pledge target of a 30% emissions reduction by 2030 is “realistic and economically advantageous.” He detailed Nigeria’s pioneering efforts, including its Methane Action Plan and sustained progress in reducing routine gas flaring.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emeka Obi, emphasized that methane reduction is central to Nigeria’s national priorities. He pointed to the strengthened regulatory framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the country’s ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions as evidence of this commitment.
The roundtable served as a crucial platform for sharing regional experiences and best practices. Discussions focused on translating global commitments into actionable policies, leveraging methane reduction for economic benefits, and creating a standing regional coordination group. The consensus was clear: turning methane pledges into action is an essential step for enhancing energy security, attracting investment, and supporting global climate objectives, positioning Africa’s energy sector for a sustainable future.
