Methane emissions in Nigeria
Nigeria: Methane emissions was 193.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
193.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
down 7.0%
World rank
8th
of 199 countries
All-time high
316.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1996
All-time low
4.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Methane emissions in Nigeria, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
The most recent figure for methane emissions in Nigeria is 193.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 7.0% on the previous year and down 16.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane emissions in Nigeria peaked at 316.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1996 and was at its lowest, 4.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
That places Nigeria 8th out of 199 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Methane emissions in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 4.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 4.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1852 | 4.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1853 | 4.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1854 | 4.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1855 | 4.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1856 | 4.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1857 | 4.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1858 | 4.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1859 | 4.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1860 | 4.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1861 | 4.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1862 | 4.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1863 | 4.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1864 | 4.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1865 | 4.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1866 | 4.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1867 | 4.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1868 | 4.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1869 | 4.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1870 | 4.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1871 | 4.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1872 | 4.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1873 | 4.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1874 | 4.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1875 | 4.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1876 | 4.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1877 | 4.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1878 | 4.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1879 | 4.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1880 | 4.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1881 | 4.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1882 | 4.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1883 | 4.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1884 | 4.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1885 | 4.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1886 | 4.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1887 | 4.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1888 | 4.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1889 | 4.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1890 | 4.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1891 | 4.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1892 | 4.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1893 | 4.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1894 | 4.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1895 | 4.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1896 | 4.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1897 | 4.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1898 | 4.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1899 | 4.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1900 | 4.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1901 | 4.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1902 | 5.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1903 | 5.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1904 | 5.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1905 | 5.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1906 | 5.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1907 | 5.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1908 | 5.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1909 | 5.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1910 | 5.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1911 | 5.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1912 | 5.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1913 | 5.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1914 | 5.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1915 | 6.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1916 | 6.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1917 | 6.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1918 | 6.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1919 | 6.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1920 | 6.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1921 | 6.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1922 | 7.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1923 | 7.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1924 | 7.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1925 | 7.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1926 | 7.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1927 | 8.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1928 | 8.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1929 | 8.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1930 | 8.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1931 | 8.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1932 | 9.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1933 | 9.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1934 | 9.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1935 | 9.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1936 | 9.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1937 | 10.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1938 | 10.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1939 | 10.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1940 | 10.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1941 | 10.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1942 | 11.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1943 | 11.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1944 | 11.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1945 | 12.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1946 | 12.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1947 | 12.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1948 | 13.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1949 | 13.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1950 | 18.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +33.9% |
| 1951 | 19.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.6% |
| 1952 | 20.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.9% |
| 1953 | 22.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.9% |
| 1954 | 24.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.0% |
| 1955 | 27.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.9% |
| 1956 | 30.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.6% |
| 1957 | 33.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.6% |
| 1958 | 37.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.5% |
| 1959 | 42.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +14.4% |
| 1960 | 47.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.2% |
| 1961 | 58.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +23.8% |
| 1962 | 59.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1963 | 64.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.9% |
| 1964 | 81.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +26.6% |
| 1965 | 104.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +28.8% |
| 1966 | 128.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +22.9% |
| 1967 | 162.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +26.2% |
| 1968 | 104.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -36.1% |
| 1969 | 109.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1970 | 141.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +29.9% |
| 1971 | 142.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1972 | 164.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +15.5% |
| 1973 | 183.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.4% |
| 1974 | 197.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.0% |
| 1975 | 164.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -16.9% |
| 1976 | 186.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.6% |
| 1977 | 190.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1978 | 176.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.3% |
| 1979 | 207.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +17.9% |
| 1980 | 192.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.5% |
| 1981 | 147.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -23.5% |
| 1982 | 138.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.0% |
| 1983 | 135.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 1984 | 147.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.8% |
| 1985 | 156.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1986 | 155.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1987 | 147.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.0% |
| 1988 | 157.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.9% |
| 1989 | 180.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +14.5% |
| 1990 | 187.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1991 | 196.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 1992 | 212.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.2% |
| 1993 | 218.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1994 | 248.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.9% |
| 1995 | 272.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.5% |
| 1996 | 316.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +16.0% |
| 1997 | 294.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.0% |
| 1998 | 272.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.4% |
| 1999 | 260.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.2% |
| 2000 | 286.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.8% |
| 2001 | 285.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 242.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -14.9% |
| 2003 | 267.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.3% |
| 2004 | 261.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 2005 | 255.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.6% |
| 2006 | 238.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.7% |
| 2007 | 224.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.9% |
| 2008 | 219.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.2% |
| 2009 | 212.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.9% |
| 2010 | 222.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 2011 | 233.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.0% |
| 2012 | 238.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 2013 | 228.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.2% |
| 2014 | 231.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 230.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 2016 | 221.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.9% |
| 2017 | 225.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 229.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 237.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 2020 | 216.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -8.7% |
| 2021 | 210.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.7% |
| 2022 | 202.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.6% |
| 2023 | 208.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 2024 | 193.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.0% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 193.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 16.9× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 193.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 14.7× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Methane emissions in Nigeria changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | -36.1% | 162.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 104.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1950 | +33.9% | 13.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 18.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1970 | +29.9% | 109.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 141.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1965 | +28.8% | 81.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 104.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1964 | +26.6% | 64.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 81.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1967 | +26.2% | 128.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 162.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 4.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 4.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 4.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 4.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 4.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 5.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 6.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 7.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 9.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 12.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 13.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 27.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 18.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 42.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 92.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 47.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 162.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 175.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 141.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 207.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 155.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 135.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 192.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 247.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 187.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 316.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 249.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 212.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 286.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 229.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 221.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 238.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 206.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 193.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 216.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 5 Russia 474.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 6 Indonesia 412.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 7 Pakistan 228.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 9 Iran 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 10 Iraq 156.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 11 Mexico 151.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
More climate change data for Nigeria
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 608.40 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 66,810 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 24,814 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 41,996 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 93.64 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 1,500 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 22,614 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 7,292 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 15,322 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 27.52 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane emissions in Nigeria?
- Methane emissions in Nigeria was 193.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest methane emissions recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 316.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1996.
- What is the lowest methane emissions recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does Nigeria rank for methane emissions?
- Nigeria ranks 8th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is methane emissions rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Methane emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 175 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.