The British High Commission in Abuja has once again expressed its strong commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy transition, especially efforts to cut down gas flaring and move towards a more climate-resilient energy sector. The pledge was made by Ms Samantha Harrison, the First Secretary for Climate Diplomacy at the High Commission, during a recent visit to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) headquarters in Abuja.
According to an official statement released by the NUPRC on Tuesday, the visit was part of ongoing collaboration between the United Kingdom and Nigeria to strengthen climate action through policy, technology, and regulatory alignment. Harrison reportedly praised Nigeria’s steps towards decarbonisation and assured the UK’s willingness to work closely with Nigerian institutions to achieve shared goals in energy and climate development.
The meeting focused on practical ways both countries can work together to reduce gas flaring across Nigeria’s oil-producing regions. Gas flaring—the burning of excess natural gas during oil extraction—has long posed environmental and health risks in Nigeria, and addressing it is a key part of the country’s commitment under global climate agreements.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, highlighted the commission’s strategic approach to achieving decarbonisation within Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector. He said the commission is implementing a dual strategy that includes decarbonising flare sites and transforming flared gas into valuable products.
Komolafe explained that this strategy does not only reduce environmental pollution but also opens new revenue opportunities for the country. He noted that by treating flared gas as an asset rather than waste, Nigeria can boost economic growth while protecting the environment.
One of the flagship initiatives mentioned during the meeting is the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP). Komolafe revealed that the programme currently identifies 49 flare sites across the country where gas flaring occurs. Under the NGFCP, these sites are being targeted for investment and innovation that will help convert wasted gas into energy or feedstock for industries.
He added that this initiative is in line with Nigeria’s larger climate action plans and complements the country’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint in the oil and gas industry. The programme also aligns with international support from global partners.
Komolafe also acknowledged the role of multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the Net Zero World Initiative, which have been supporting Nigeria’s energy transition programmes. He expressed confidence that the renewed engagement with the British High Commission would bring additional resources and technical assistance to speed up ongoing projects.
Officials from both the NUPRC and the British High Commission delegation also held a technical session during the visit. The session was aimed at developing a more robust working relationship between the two sides, particularly in areas like clean energy innovation, regulatory reforms, and joint climate finance initiatives.
The British High Commission said its partnership with Nigeria is not only a diplomatic gesture but a practical move to support sustainable development and economic resilience in Africa’s most populous country. Harrison stressed that a cleaner energy sector is vital for long-term growth and inclusive development.
As Nigeria works towards its Net Zero emissions target, collaborations like this are becoming increasingly important. The country has pledged to end routine gas flaring by 2030 and increase the use of cleaner fuels across different sectors.
The recent engagement between the UK and NUPRC signals progress in that direction. With more partnerships and technical cooperation, stakeholders believe Nigeria is better positioned to achieve its decarbonisation targets and deliver cleaner, more efficient energy to its citizens.
