President Tinubu hails the $800m Ima Gas FID as TotalEnergies and AMNI move to develop a resource discovered in 1973 for Nigeria LNG supply.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) for the development of the Ima Gas Project, describing it as a significant step towards unlocking Nigeria’s long-undeveloped gas resources for industrialisation, investment and job creation.
The project, developed by Nigerian independent energy company AMNI International in partnership with TotalEnergies, is located in the offshore OML 112 and 117 licences near Bonny Island, Rivers State. TotalEnergies, which holds a 40 percent interest and will operate the project, confirmed the FID on September 23, 2026, with AMNI holding a 60 percent interest.
The Ima gas field was discovered in 1973 but remained undeveloped for more than five decades. The development will involve a single platform connected by a 22-kilometre pipeline to Nigeria LNG’s facilities on Bonny Island.
TotalEnergies said production startup is expected in 2028, with the field projected to reach a plateau of 350 million cubic feet of gas per day. Once operational, the project is expected to supply about one-third of the gas required for the ongoing Nigeria LNG Train 7 expansion, which will increase the plant’s liquefaction capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum to 30 million tonnes per annum.
Reacting to the FID, Tinubu said the development demonstrated the importance of creating an investment environment capable of turning Nigeria’s natural resources into productive economic assets.
“For more than fifty years, the gas beneath Ima remained a resource with enormous potential, but potential alone does not create jobs, finance businesses or improve the lives of our people,” the President said.
He added that his administration was determined to unlock more of Nigeria’s gas resources to support industries, expand exports and create economic opportunities.
The Ima FID follows a series of government measures aimed at improving investment conditions in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, including Presidential Directives issued in 2024 to improve fiscal competitiveness, shorten contracting timelines and reduce project costs.
Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Arowolo Verheijen, said the development illustrated the importance of creating the commercial and investment conditions required to move resources from discovery to production.
The project is also expected to demonstrate significant Nigerian participation. TotalEnergies said all key contractors for the Ima development are local companies, while about 60 percent of the workforce is expected to be sourced from host communities during the project development phase.
The company described Ima as a low-cost, low-emissions development featuring a simplified platform design, electricity supplied from shore, no routine flaring and permanent methane detection and monitoring.
The development is expected to strengthen gas supply to Nigeria LNG while supporting the wider use of natural gas for exports and industrial activities.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue pursuing measures aimed at attracting investment into Nigeria’s gas sector and converting the country’s substantial gas resources into productive economic opportunities.
“Natural resources have value only when they are converted into opportunities for our people,” the President said. “Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s gas powers Nigerian prosperity.”
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