L-R: Mr. Ed Ubong, Coordinating Director, Decade of Gas; Mr. Olakunle Williams President/CEO Tetracore Energy Group; Mr. John Kadiri, Executive Secretary, Association of Local Distributors of Gas,(ALDG) and MD/CEO of Alpha Max Value Energy and Renewables Ltd; Mrs. Ikenma Irene, Director Midstream and Dowstream, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR), representing Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, (Gas); Mr. Kehinde Alabi, Chairman ALDG and Managing Director, Axxela Gas Distribution and Mr. Olufisayo Duduyemi, 1st Vice President, Nigeria Gas Association (NGA) and Managing Director, Axxela Integrated, Power, representing Mrs. Yetunde Taiwo, President NGA at the ALDG Business Forum 2026 held at the PTDF Building Abuja, recently.
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s gas sector have called for increased investment, regulatory certainty, and stronger collaboration to improve domestic gas accessibility and distribution across the country, despite Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest holder of proven natural gas reserves.
The call emerged during the second edition of the Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) Business Forum, held on June 4, 2026, at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Building in Abuja. The forum, themed “From Gas Abundance to Gas Access: Reassessing Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Imperatives,” brought together government officials, regulators, development finance institutions, investors, technology providers, and industry operators to discuss challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s gas distribution ecosystem.
Nigeria holds an estimated 215 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven natural gas reserves. However, stakeholders at the forum noted that domestic utilisation remains constrained by infrastructure deficits, financing challenges, and uneven access to distribution networks.
Participants identified the expansion of pipeline infrastructure, storage facilities, and downstream distribution systems as critical to improving access to gas for industrial, commercial, and residential consumers. Discussions also focused on the importance of maintaining stable policy frameworks and regulatory consistency to support long-term investment decisions.
The forum further examined the role of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in supporting gas infrastructure projects through long-term financing mechanisms, particularly funding denominated in local currency. Participants noted that access to affordable financing could help reduce project risks and attract additional private-sector investment.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Association of Local Distributors of Gas, Kehinde Alabi, said the country’s gas reserves present significant opportunities for economic development and energy access if supported by effective implementation and infrastructure development.
He noted that translating existing gas resources into widespread domestic utilisation would require coordinated action from both public and private sector stakeholders across the value chain.
Also addressing participants, Irene Ikenma, Director of Midstream and Downstream Gas at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who represented the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, highlighted the importance of regulatory certainty and supporting infrastructure in attracting large-scale investment into the gas distribution sector.
According to her, while the commercial prospects of gas distribution remain attractive, investors often require predictable regulatory conditions and adequate infrastructure before committing significant capital to long-term projects.
Representing the Chairman of the House Committee on Gas Resources, Hon. Nicholas Mutu, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Aluko Ahmed Yinka, reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to legislative measures aimed at supporting gas sector development and improving access to gas across the country.
He stated that the legislature would continue to support reforms and oversight initiatives intended to remove barriers to investment and facilitate the achievement of national gas distribution objectives.
The ALDG Business Forum is an annual platform designed to foster dialogue among policymakers, industry stakeholders, development partners, and investors. Organisers say the forum seeks to promote practical approaches to strengthening Nigeria’s gas distribution network, expanding energy access, and supporting broader economic development objectives
