Nigeria CO₂ Emissions
Nigeria emitted 136 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.35% of the global total. That ranks it 36th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 0.58 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Nigeria emit?
Nigeria produced 136 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Nigeria accounts for 0.35% of it.
With a population of about 233 million, that is 0.58 tonnes per person, 88% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Nigeria since 1990
Annual emissions in Nigeria have risen by 250% since 1990, from 39 million tonnes to 136 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 10%. Emissions peaked in 2021 at 148 million tonnes and are now 8% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Nigeria, at about 51% of the total, followed by gas at 30% and flaring at 9%.
How Nigeria compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Nigeria in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Ukraine | 142.50 | 0.37% | 3.76 |
| 35 | Uzbekistan | 139.23 | 0.36% | 3.83 |
| 36 | Nigeria | 135.82 | 0.35% | 0.58 |
| 37 | Kuwait | 129.52 | 0.34% | 26.25 |
| 38 | Qatar | 125.81 | 0.33% | 41.27 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Nigeria has emitted about 4.7 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.26% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.35% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Nigeria emit per year?
Nigeria emitted 136 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.35% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Nigeria?
About 0.58 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 88% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Nigeria rising or falling?
They have risen by 10% over the last ten years and risen by 250% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2021 at 148 million tonnes and are now 8% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Nigeria?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 51% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 30%.
About the data. Figures are annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and from industry, such as cement production. They are counted where the emissions happen and do not include land-use change, other greenhouse gases, or emissions from imported goods.
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025), processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Latest year available: 2024.
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