‘Count Us Out:’ NNPC Fires Back, says “Our Gas” Not Responsible for Nationwide Power Supply Drop

ABUJA — As Nigerians groan under another round of falling power supply, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has come out swinging, dismissing claims that it is the reason the lights are going out.

The company insists that inadequate gas supply or transportation constraints are not responsible for the recent decline in electricity generation, declaring that its gas transportation network remains fully available to power plants nationwide.

The pushback came in a statement by its Spokesperson, Andy Odey, on Saturday, in what is fast becoming a familiar blame game in Nigeria’s troubled power sector: gas suppliers point at generators, generators point at gas, and Nigerians are left in darkness.

According to NNPC, the operational records of its subsidiary, NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC), showed no transportation-related constraints capable of explaining the drop in electricity output. In other words, the pipes are open, the gas is flowing, so why is there no power?

Rather, NNPC maintained that gas supply availability was not a challenge, disclosing that the country’s gas production volumes had grown by about 10 per cent year-to-date in 2026. Nigeria, it says, is producing more gas than before, not less.

But the company added a crucial twist that many Nigerians may not know: the availability of pipelines and other transportation infrastructure does not necessarily translate into actual gas deliveries or electricity generation, as several other factors determine the performance of the gas-to-power value chain.

He explained that a comprehensive assessment of the electricity generation shortfall must also examine the availability and operational readiness of power generating units, plant maintenance schedules and actual gas offtake by individual power stations.

These factors, he said, determine whether gas supplied to generating stations can effectively be converted into electricity. You can deliver all the gas in the world to a power plant, but if its turbines are down for maintenance, or it simply does not take the gas, there will be no light.

NNPC therefore called for a coordinated review of operational data involving gas suppliers, transporters, power generators and NISO to establish the specific factors responsible for the decline and identify appropriate interventions. It wants everyone to bring their books to the table.

The company said accurate reporting across the gas-to-power value chain was essential to resolving the challenges and sustaining public confidence in the electricity sector. No more finger-pointing without facts, it argued.

“NNPC Limited supports a coordinated review of operational data by gas suppliers, transporters, power generators and NISO to identify specific constraints and guide effective interventions,” Odeh said.

He added that the company remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s gas development and monetisation agenda through safe, reliable and efficient gas supply and transportation infrastructure.

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

For now, the question remains: if gas is available and pipelines are ready, why are Nigerians still sitting in darkness? NNPC says it has done its part. The ball, it insists, is now in the court of the power plants.

Source: Platforms Africa