As part of measure to ensure Nigeria’s gas drive does not jeopardise environmental integrity, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), is hosting a two capacity-building workshop to strengthen the country’s methane emissions accountability systems.
The two-day workshop, titled “Strengthening Corporate Compliance and Public Accountability of Methane Emissions Targets”, will convene civil society organisations, journalists, and key technical partners to deepen their role in advancing emissions transparency and environmental governance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Despite its potential to accelerate economic growth and improve energy access, Nigeria’s gas agenda faces a growing credibility challenge, including rising methane emissions from exploration and production risk undermining environmental integrity, public health, international climate commitments, and the country’s energy transition goals.
Speaking on this, Senior Officer at NRGI, Tengi George-Ikoli, said the workshop responds to this challenge by equipping non-state actors with tools and knowledge to leverage emissions data, toward corporate compliance and government accountability.
Tengi also noted that the workshop is about closing the gap between emissions disclosure and real accountability, adding that, “We’ve made progress, such as integrating the 2023 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Standard into Nigeria’s extractives governance framework, resulting in fifteen companies disclosing their emissions data.
“Now, civil society and media must ensure these disclosures become drivers of real change,” Says Tengi George-Ikoli.
Project Manager for the extractive programme at Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Felicia Dairo, said as Nigeria positions itself at the forefront of Africa’s energy transition through initiatives like the Decade of Gas, it was crucial that methane emissions reduction is not just an environmental priority but a governance imperative.
She said: “Addressing methane emissions requires more than just policies, it demands inclusive accountability frameworks driven by informed civil society actors and the media.
“At CJID, we believe that empowering these groups with data, tools, and technical capacity will not only enhance public discourse but also strengthen transparency, build trust, and ensure that our extractive sector contributes meaningfully to sustainable development.”
This event is part of a wider push by NRGI and its partners to ensure that methane governance becomes a key pillar of Nigeria’s energy transition and ensure that gas expansion does not come at the expense of climate ambition and community well-being.
