Nigeria’s Gas Push: Ekpo Reaffirms Investment Path at 2-Year Milestone

Stakeholders in the Nigerian Gas sector have re-affirmed their focus on Gas as a transition fuel; and more importantly, as the fuel to achieve Nigeria’s energy security.

This re-affirmation was reflected at a stakeholders webinar to mark the second year of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Ph.D.; who brought together stakeholders to reflect, assess, and set a vision for Nigeria’s gas sector.

The 2025 commemorative webinar carried the theme *“Catalysing Investment for Nigeria’s Upstream Gas Sector: Opportunities, Challenges, and Global Trends.”* It was more than a ceremonial milestone; it was a bold reaffirmation of Nigeria’s gas agenda.

Ekpo, who credits President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as his compass, reflected on two years of transformative reforms under the guiding vision of *“From Gas to Prosperity.”* The Minister acknowledged the President’s trust in his stewardship and highlighted how this leadership has enabled Nigeria to reposition itself as a gas-powered economy.

Just a year earlier, his first anniversary webinar explored *“Expanding Nigeria’s Gas Potential with CNG, LPG and LNG.”* The recommendations from that event, Ekpo noted, directly shaped policy directions — from expanding LPG penetration and accelerating CNG adoption, to advancing LNG projects. This year’s focus on upstream investment, he said, is about building the foundation that will sustain all downstream growth.

The Minister used the platform to showcase Nigeria’s significant strides in gas development:

• Institutional Strengthening: Operationalizing the Decade of Gas Secretariat to align stakeholders and deliver on national gas ambitions.
• Infrastructure Development: Progress on the OB3 and AKK pipelines, gas processing plants, and virtual pipeline systems to expand LPG and CNG access.
• Pipeline Diplomacy: Ongoing work on regional projects, including the West African Gas Pipeline, Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline, and collaborations with Equatorial Guinea and Algeria.
• Commercialisation & Flare Reduction: New programmes turning flared gas into economic opportunities.
• Domestic Gas Growth: LPG cylinder distribution and clean cooking programmes targeting 250,000 households.
• Policy & Regulatory Reforms: Settlement of gas producer arrears and updated pipeline network codes, boosting investor confidence.
• Industrial Gas Utilization: Projects like Brass Fertilizer aimed at unlocking fertilizer and petrochemical value chains.
• Global Partnerships: Deeper ties with regional and global partners, positioning Nigerian gas as a reliable source of energy security.
• Clean Energy Transition: Promoting gas as the bridge fuel in Nigeria’s energy mix, aligning with global decarbonization efforts.

Despite these achievements, Ekpo stressed that the journey is far from complete. Financing constraints, infrastructure delivery, and global energy transitions remain pressing challenges. Yet, he believes Nigeria has the resources, the talent, and the political will to succeed — provided sustained investments and strategic partnerships are secured.

“This is more than a commemoration,” he declared. “It is a call to action. Together with government, investors, financiers, regulators, and civil society, we must chart pathways that ensure Nigeria’s upstream gas sector not only meets domestic needs but also positions our country as a global gas powerhouse.”

As he closed, Ekpo once again paid tribute to President Tinubu for his vision and to stakeholders for their collaboration. For him, the ultimate goal remains unchanged: to transform the slogan *“From Gas to Prosperity”* into reality for every Nigerian.

The webinar set the stage for fresh discussions and renewed commitments — a reminder that Nigeria’s gas story is still being written, and its promise is one of prosperity, sustainability, and global relevance.