The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has expressed confidence that Nigeria is well positioned to emerge as Africa’s leading Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) hub, leveraging its substantial carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage capacity, existing energy infrastructure and supportive regulatory framework.
The Commission Chief Executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, stated this on Wednesday at the NUPRC side event at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.
Eyesan said Nigeria’s depleted oil and gas reservoirs offered significant opportunities for CO₂ storage, while its extensive energy infrastructure and evolving policy framework provided a strong foundation for developing a viable carbon capture and storage industry.
She noted that the global climate change conversation was increasingly shifting from commitments to implementation, with countries now being assessed based on projects delivered, emissions reductions achieved and investments mobilised.
According to her, this shift presents both challenges and opportunities for resource-rich developing economies such as Nigeria.
She explained that the challenge lies in pursuing decarbonisation responsibly without compromising energy security, economic growth and social development.
However, she said Nigeria could leverage its natural resources, institutions and strategic partnerships to demonstrate that decarbonisation of upstream petroleum operations could be achieved through commercially viable and investment-driven approaches.
Eyesan emphasised the need to translate climate commitments into practical projects capable of delivering measurable emissions reductions while attracting the capital required to develop the country’s carbon management infrastructure.
She expressed optimism that Nigeria could play a leading role in Africa’s emerging CCUS market by deploying its geological storage resources, strengthening regulatory frameworks and encouraging investment in carbon management technologies.
