Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The federal government’s approval of N185billion as the settlement for long standing debts owed to gas producers in the country, has been described as a major boost for Nigeria’s gas industry and power generation value chain.
The decision, endorsed by the National Economic Council, NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, followed authorisation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and represents one of the most significant fiscal interventions in the energy sector in recent years.
The legacy debts, accumulated over years for gas supplied to power plants, have constrained cash flow for producers, discouraged new investments and reduced gas supply to electricity generation, worsening Nigeria’s chronic power shortages.
Under the approved framework, the debts will be settled through a royalty-offset arrangement, a mechanism expected to ease government liabilities while restoring confidence among domestic and international gas suppliers.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the approval as a turning point for the sector.
“This is a decisive step towards revitalising Nigeria’s gas sector and strengthening its power-generation capacity in a sustainable manner,” Ekpo said, adding that the move aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to resolving structural bottlenecks in the energy industry.
He noted that clearing the arrears would help rebuild trust between government and gas producers, many of whom had slowed investments due to persistent payment uncertainties.
“Settling these debts is critical to restoring investor confidence, reviving upstream activities and accelerating exploration and production,” Ekpo stated.
According to him, increased gas output would directly translate into improved power generation, helping to address electricity shortages that have long constrained industrial productivity and economic growth.
The gas minister further explained that the intervention supports the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, which targets unlocking more than 12 billion cubic feet per day of gas supply by 2030.
Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr. Ed Ubong, said the decision sends a strong signal to investors across the gas-to-power value chain.
“This approval underlines the Federal Government’s determination to clear legacy liabilities and assure gas producers that supplies to power generation will be honoured,” Ubong said.
He added that the move could unlock stalled projects, revive investor interest and rebuild momentum toward Nigeria’s transition to a gas-driven economy.
The settlement could mark a critical step in stabilising gas supply to power plants, improving electricity reliability and positioning gas as a catalyst for industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
