GAS FLARING IN NIGERIA: A HUMAN RIGHTS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC MONSTROSITY

Nigeria is identified as the world's largest gas flarer, wasting approximately 2.5 billion cubic feet of associated gas daily, which results in an annual economic loss of US $2.5 billion. The report asserts that flaring has been generally illegal since 1984 under the Associated Gas Reinjection Act, yet continues through a lack of transparency regarding ministerial certificates. Environmental impacts include the emission of roughly 70 million metric tons of CO2 annually and the creation of acid rain that corrodes infrastructure. Health risks for local communities, specifically in Bayelsa State, include increased rates of premature death, child respiratory illnesses, asthma, and cancer due to exposure to particulate matter and benzene. The report criticizes the 'double standards' of the British colonial legacy and the failure of projects like Bonny LNG and the West African Gas Pipeline to prioritize the use of associated gas over non-associated gas.

• Nigeria is the world's largest flarer of gas in both absolute and proportionate terms, wasting roughly 2.5 billion cubic feet of associated gas every day.
• The economic cost of gas flaring to Nigeria is estimated at approximately US $2.5 billion annually.
• Gas flaring in Nigeria has been generally illegal since January 1, 1984, pursuant to the Associated Gas Reinjection Act, 1979, unless a field-specific ministerial certificate is issued.
• Nigerian gas flaring contributes significantly to global warming, with carbon dioxide emissions estimated at about 70 million metric tons annually.
• In Bayelsa State, particulate matter and benzene emissions from 17 on-shore flow stations are estimated to cause at least 49 premature deaths, 4,960 child respiratory illnesses, 120,000 asthma attacks, and 8 cases of cancer annually.
• Gas flaring is a primary cause of acid rain in the Niger Delta, leading to the accelerated corrosion of zinc-plated iron roofing materials in communities such as Eket.
• The report argues that gas flaring violates the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, specifically the rights to health and a satisfactory environment.
• There is significant discrepancy between the public claims of oil companies regarding flare-out dates (such as 2008) and internal assessments, with some projects lacking plans to gather natural gas.
• The Bonny LNG plant has primarily used non-associated gas rather than associated gas, undermining its role in reducing flaring; only 17.6% of gas sold by SPDC to the plant in the last two available years was associated gas.

APA

Friends of the Earth International (2005). GAS FLARING IN NIGERIA: A HUMAN RIGHTS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC MONSTROSITY. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gasnigeria.pdf

Chicago

Friends of the Earth International. GAS FLARING IN NIGERIA: A HUMAN RIGHTS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC MONSTROSITY. 2005. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gasnigeria.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Friends of the Earth International |title=GAS FLARING IN NIGERIA: A HUMAN RIGHTS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC MONSTROSITY |date=June 2005 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gasnigeria.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friendsoftheearthinternational2005gas, author = {{Friends of the Earth International}}, title = {{GAS FLARING IN NIGERIA: A HUMAN RIGHTS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC MONSTROSITY}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2005}, month = jun, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gasnigeria.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }