Queen Mary researchers, led by Prof Paul Balcombe, are undertaking a baseline study to quantify methane emissions across multiple sectors in Nigeria.

The project kicked off in October 2024 with a scoping phase looking at existing methane data in Nigeria, evaluating feasibility, and bringing together project partners. The full study was then launched in December 2025.

This study is the first multisector (oil and gas, waste and agriculture) scientific study of anthropogenic methane emission on the African continent, and one of the first in the world. Queen Mary was selected and funded by the UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) to lead this baseline study as part of the Nigeria Methane Emissions Reduction Pilot Programme (NiMERP).

The group from Queen Mary will be supported by partnerships with six Nigerian Universities, University of Ilorin, University of Port Harcourt, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Joseph Sarwan Tarkwa University and Dennis Osadebay University – adding local expertise and embedding commitment to developing the field of measurement-based methane emissions research in Nigeria. As part of the project, over 30 Nigerian scientists from these institutions will receive training and collaborate in the data collection and analysis. Harvard University will also be supporting the project by providing satellite-based analysis.

Research Associate Dr Eric Wood explained, “our methodology is sector-specific, adapted to the particular challenges of each sector. While the focus in oil and gas will be predominantly on emissions measurement, the urban and agriculture sectors will have greater focus on improving activity data. This approach is attuned to the primary needs and opportunities to improve the overall methane emissions estimate for Nigeria and does so in a risk-adjusted, cost-effective manner.”

NiMERP, implemented by UNEP’s IMEO, supports Nigeria to improve its understanding of methane emissions across priority sectors and to build national capacity to estimate, interpret, and apply methane data for mitigation and reporting purposes. NiMERP is funded by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria. The baseline study was endorsed by the Scientific Oversight Committee of UNEP’s IMEO, the Government of Nigeria, and the EU Delegation to Nigeria.

NiMERP held a policy-focused workshop in September 2025 that brought together methane experts and key partners from Nigeria to discuss measurement and reporting in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, with the aim to support the country's ability to comply with upcoming European Union methane requirements for oil and gas imports. This meeting workshop looked at how data from the study being led by Prof Balcombe’s group can contribute to this aim.

“The Baseline Study holds the promise of a significantly improved measurement-informed estimate of anthropogenic methane emissions from Nigeria and a path to reducing those emissions in future. It also represents a significant positive step and perhaps blueprint towards other similar national-level multi-sector studies in future” said Dr Wood.