Abuja, Nigeria
22 July 2026
The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), in collaboration with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), convened a high-level Technical Session on “Strengthening Nigeria’s Methane Governance: Corporate Methane Accountability” on 22 July 2026 in Abuja.
The closed-door session brought together representatives of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), NEITI, oil and gas operators, development partners, civil society organisations, researchers and other key stakeholders.
The session examined how Nigeria can translate company-level methane emissions data into measurable reductions through stronger disclosure, credible measurement, effective regulation and public accountability. Discussions drew on the findings of the NEITI 2022–2023 Oil and Gas Industry Report, NRGI’s analysis of corporate emissions disclosure and a draft Corporate Methane Performance Scorecard developed by NRGI to assess company-level transparency and performance.
Participants acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in establishing an enabling policy and regulatory framework for methane management through the Petroleum Industry Act, the Nationally Determined Contributions, the National Methane Action Framework, sectoral methane regulations and the integration of greenhouse gas disclosures into NEITI’s oil and gas industry reporting process.
However, the session highlighted a persistent gap between the strength of Nigeria’s policy commitments and the availability of credible, consistent and publicly accessible company-level emissions information. While companies and regulators collect substantial emissions data, much of this information is not yet disclosed in formats that allow stakeholders to compare performance, assess regulatory compliance or determine whether reported actions are producing measurable reductions.
NRGI highlighted the importance of moving the conversation from commitments to evidence. Credible corporate methane accountability requires information that shows where emissions occur, how they are measured, what interventions companies have adopted and whether those interventions are reducing emissions over time.
Participants noted that only 15 of the 62 companies covered by the NEITI 2022–2023 Oil and Gas Industry Report disclosed greenhouse gas emissions information. While this represents an important foundation for corporate emissions transparency, participants recognised the need to expand reporting coverage and improve the quality, consistency, timeliness and granularity of disclosed information.
The session welcomed the growing transition from estimation-based reporting towards measurement-based reporting. Participants agreed that reliable measurement provides the foundation for evidence-based policymaking, effective regulatory oversight, operational efficiency and verifiable emissions reductions. Companies were encouraged to strengthen their emissions inventories and progressively develop facility-level and asset-level information where feasible.
NUPRC and NMDPRA outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen emissions monitoring, reporting and regulatory compliance across the industry. Participants stressed the importance of harmonising reporting processes across institutions, standardising methodologies and reducing unnecessary duplication while preserving independent verification and regulatory oversight.
The session also considered international reporting frameworks, including the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0. Participants recognised the value of international standards in improving the credibility and comparability of methane information. They nevertheless emphasised that international frameworks should complement Nigeria’s domestic regulatory and transparency systems and remain responsive to the operational realities of the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
Operators shared practical experiences related to emissions inventory development, methane measurement technologies, disclosure processes and emissions-reduction initiatives. These exchanges provided an opportunity for peer learning between operators at different stages of technical and reporting readiness.
Participants acknowledged that capacity gaps, limited measurement infrastructure, financing constraints, inconsistent methodologies and varying levels of institutional preparedness continue to affect the completeness and quality of corporate methane reporting. Targeted technical assistance, clear regulatory guidance and sustained peer learning will therefore be required, particularly for operators with limited technical and financial capacity.
NRGI presented its draft Corporate Methane Performance Scorecard, developed using publicly available information from the NEITI reporting process. The scorecard assesses company performance across areas including transparency and disclosure, methane emissions reduction, methane intensity and the quality and granularity of reported information.
NRGI invited regulators, companies and other stakeholders to test the scorecard’s assumptions and recommend improvements. Participants provided feedback on the weighting of indicators, differences in company size and operations, historical baselines, the treatment of international reporting initiatives and the distinction between strong disclosure and actual emissions performance.
Regulators commended the scorecard as a practical accountability mechanism and recommended that demonstrated methane reductions should carry greater weight within the assessment. Participants stressed that transparent reporting should encourage improved performance rather than discourage companies from disclosing emissions. Disclosure establishes the baseline required to identify problems, target interventions and demonstrate subsequent reductions.
NRGI will incorporate the feedback received into the next version of the scorecard as additional company-level information becomes available.
The meeting also recognised the potential of the Emissions Monitoring and Accountability Tool developed by PLSI in partnership with NRGI. Participants noted that accessible digital tools can simplify complex emissions information, improve public access to environmental data and support evidence-based engagement by journalists, civil society organisations, oversight institutions and citizens.
Following extensive deliberations, participants agreed that:
- Methane accountability should be recognised as both a regulatory responsibility and a strategic business imperative for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
- Nigeria must prioritise implementation of its methane regulations and commitments, supported by credible evidence that emissions are being reduced.
- Corporate disclosure should expand beyond the existing reporting baseline, with greater attention to data quality, consistency, timeliness and granularity.
- Measurement-based reporting should progressively become the industry standard, supported by stronger company emissions inventories and facility-level information where feasible.
- Government institutions should strengthen coordination to improve methane data quality, comparability, transparency and public accessibility.
- Regulators should provide clear guidance and promote consistent reporting methodologies across the industry.
- Capacity building for regulators, reporting entities and other stakeholders should remain a national priority.
- Companies at earlier stages of technical readiness should receive targeted support and opportunities for peer learning.
- Digital innovations, including EMAT and the Corporate Methane Performance Scorecard, should be strengthened and promoted as tools for public accountability and improved corporate performance.
- Continued stakeholder dialogue should be institutionalised to validate emerging accountability frameworks, support data collaboration and identify practical solutions to implementation challenges.
The organisers expressed appreciation to all participating institutions for their openness, technical contributions and commitment to strengthening methane governance in Nigeria.
The session concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration among regulators, NEITI, companies, civil society and development partners. NRGI will continue working with its partners to refine the Corporate Methane Performance Scorecard, strengthen company-level disclosure, support peer learning and connect Nigeria’s methane regulations with credible, transparent and measurable corporate performance.
This work forms part of NRGI and its partners’ wider effort to strengthen methane governance in Nigeria by connecting stronger regulation with better data, public transparency and corporate accountability.
Issued this 22nd day of July, 2026.
Convened by:
Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI)
Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI)
Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI)