Nigeria–Qatar Economic Diplomacy: LNG Cooperation and Investment Opportunities in Energy Infrastructure

Nigeria–Qatar economic diplomacy has gained strategic momentum in recent years, with energy cooperation emerging as a central pillar of engagement between the two major natural gas–producing states. Anchored on the Resource Diplomacy Theory, this study examines the evolving dynamics of Nigeria–Qatar relations through the lens of liquefied natural gas (LNG) collaboration and investment opportunities in Nigeria’s energy infrastructure. Data for the study were collected from secondary sources such as text books, journal articles and other internet sources while content analysis was used to analyse the data collected. The study shows how shared interests in global gas markets, diversification strategies, and energy security concerns are shaping bilateral interactions. The paper highlights Qatar’s global leadership in LNG production and Nigeria’s efforts to expand its gas monetisation agenda, particularly through the Decade of Gas Initiative and ongoing infrastructural reforms. It also analyses potential areas of Qatari investment such as gas pipelines, LNG terminals, petrochemical plants, and energy financing while assessing the diplomatic channels that facilitate such cooperation, including high-level visits, trade agreements, and multilateral energy platforms. The study concludes that enhanced Nigeria–Qatar energy diplomacy could strengthen Nigeria’s gas industrialisation, support Qatar’s expansion into African energy markets, and contribute to more stable, mutually beneficial diplomatic relations.