DOES NIGER THREATEN BOLA TINUBU's GAS PIPELINE TO EUROPE?

Bola Ahmed Tinubu shared his insight on how Nigeria can transport its gas to Europe via the trans-saharan trade route and become a rival to Russia.

He told the Kano Business owners who hosted him to a dinner, "why should we [Nigeria] leave Russia to do the whole thing & continue to complain? We can do it".

In the run up to his 2023 Nigerian presidential election victory, Bola Tinubu said the country ought to move quickly to fill the gap in the European gas-supply market created by Russia’s exit. In particular, he pinned his hopes on a new gas pipeline being built through Niger and Algeria. The project is touted by some as a ‘salvation’ for Europe now that Russian gas is widely deemed unconscionable.

At the same time, millions of citizens of Nigeria - and of neighbouring Niger - currently do not have access to gas. On top of that, despite having the largest natural gas reserves in Africa, Nigeria is a net importer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a product of natural gas that is used for cooking and heating purposes. According to official figures, 60% of the 1.4-million tonnes of LPG consumed in Nigeria in 2022 was imported.

In Niger, where the gas is set to transit through, the situation is worse. Less than 10% of the population has access to clean cooking energy. So should Tinubu perhaps consider first taking care of the needs of domestic and regional consumers before rushing to help Europe meet its shortfall? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Video credit: TVC News Nigeria and African Streams

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