President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the $800 million Ima Gas Project, describing it as an important step towards unlocking Nigeria’s gas resources and expanding economic opportunities.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, involves Nigerian independent oil and gas company AMNI International and TotalEnergies. The project is expected to produce about 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day at peak production.
The Ima gas field, located offshore across Oil Mining Leases 112 and 117, was discovered in 1973 but remained undeveloped for more than five decades.
According to the Presidency, the latest investment decision will pave the way for development of the field, with the gas potentially supplying feedstock to Nigeria LNG Limited.
Tinubu said the development demonstrated what could be achieved when investors operate within a predictable and competitive business environment.
The President noted that Nigeria had possessed substantial gas resources for decades, but much of the potential had remained untapped.
He said his administration was focused on turning those resources into productive investments capable of supporting industries, creating employment and strengthening the country’s economy.
The President also outlined the broader objectives of the government’s gas strategy, including expanding LNG exports, increasing foreign exchange earnings, supplying industries with feedstock, supporting fertiliser and petrochemical production and improving power generation.
The Ima project becomes the fourth major gas project to reach FID since Tinubu assumed office, following the Iseni, Ubeta and HI gas projects.
Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, said the development reflected the government’s efforts to address the investment and commercial challenges that had prevented several Nigerian gas discoveries from being developed.
She noted that the Ima project showed how reforms could help transform long-standing gas discoveries into projects that generate employment, business opportunities and government revenue.
The project also highlights the role of Nigerian companies in the country’s energy sector, with AMNI International holding a majority interest in the asset.
According to the Presidency, Nigerian financial institutions have arranged 77 per cent of the project’s financing, while about 60 per cent of the workforce is expected to come from host communities, including Bonny, Finima and Andoni in Rivers State.
The Federal Government has continued to promote investment in the gas sector as part of its broader strategy to increase domestic energy supply and reduce the number of major oil and gas discoveries that remain undeveloped.
