Gas Association Asserts Commitment to Sustainable Gas-led Development

The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), the nation’s foremost professional body championing natural gas development and utilization, has reiterated its unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s industrialization, economic diversification, and sustainable growth through a gas-powered transformation agenda.

Speaking at the 15th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Nigeria Liquefied and Compressed Gases Association (NLCGA) held recently in Lagos, Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi, President of the NGA and African Regional Director of the International Gas Union (IGU), commended the NLCGA for its pivotal role in accelerating gas utilization, market innovation, and the nation’s energy transition drive.

Delivering the NGA’s goodwill message, Mr. Nwokedi reaffirmed that since its founding in 1999, the Association, chartered under the IGU, has been at the forefront of positioning gas as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic renaissance.

“Gas remains the bridge between Nigeria’s hydrocarbon heritage and its sustainable, industrialized future,” Mr. Nwokedi declared. “This year’s conference theme, ‘Gas – Economic Diversification & Private Sector Growth,’ captures the NGA’s enduring mission to harness our vast gas endowments for inclusive development, job creation, and enhanced national competitiveness.”

He underscored the transformative impact of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in expanding energy access, powering industries, fueling transport systems, and improving quality of life across communities.

“The exponential growth of the LPG and CNG sectors exemplifies how private-sector innovation and investment can fast-track the objectives of Nigeria’s Decade of Gas and deliver measurable social and economic benefits,” he added.

Reinforcing the NGA’s five strategic pillars; Advocacy, Investment Promotion, Standards and Best Practices, Capacity Building, and Industry Resource Excellence, Mr. Nwokedi emphasized the Association’s continued collaboration with government, regulators, and investors to strengthen policy frameworks and deepen value-chain capacity.

The NGA helmsman further commended the Tinubu Administration for initiatives such as the Presidential CNG Initiative, the Decade of Gas Programme, and the Presidential Directives on Gas, describing them as “vital enablers of renewed momentum in gas policy and private participation.”

However, he cautioned that unlocking Nigeria’s full gas potential requires decisive attention to infrastructure deficits, financing gaps, non-cost-reflective pricing, and security challenges.

“Nigeria’s gas opportunity is immense, but its realization demands clarity, consistency, and collaboration. We must now move from policy intent to performance,” he urged.

As African Regional Director of the IGU, Mr. Nwokedi highlighted Nigeria’s growing leaderships in shaping Africa’s gas narrative and global energy transition discourse. He further applauded the NLCGA for 15 years of exemplary advocacy and partnership.

“True diversification will arise from reliable energy systems, efficient markets, and an empowered private sector,” he concluded. “The NGA remains a steadfast partner in building a gas-based economy that delivers inclusive and sustainable prosperity.”