Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria is ramping up efforts to harness its vast natural gas reserves as the cornerstone of its national energy transition, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
The Minister said this during his keynote address to a high-powered audience of global energy stakeholders, at the just concluded 24th edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas, NOG Week in Abuja.
Ekpo said, “With over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, Nigeria is well-positioned to achieve energy security, drive industrialization, and support global decarbonization goals. However, resources alone do not create value, only development and utilization do.”
Reaffirming the country’s gas-forward strategy, Ekpo said the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative has moved beyond slogans into real infrastructure and investment.
“This is not just a slogan, it is a national development strategy backed by policies, infrastructure, and partnerships,” he noted.
The Minister highlighted critical infrastructure projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK Gas Pipeline, and the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben, OB3 Gas Pipeline as achieving key milestones, enhancing both domestic supply and regional trade.
“Projects like the AKK and OB3 are achieving new milestones, strengthening our domestic supply while advancing regional trade through the West African Gas Pipeline,” Ekpo said.
He also cited the activation of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, MDGIF, and the resolution of key commercial bottlenecks as pivotal to unlocking investment and delivering gas across the country.
“We are expanding gas access through modular plants, pipelines, and virtual networks. Now is the time to shift from planning to execution, to build infrastructure, deepen trust, and ensure that every Nigerian household and industry benefits from this gas revolution.”
The Minister attributed the bold progress in the sector to the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying: “None of this would be possible without the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose vision continues to inspire confidence and action across the gas value chain.”
As Nigeria positions itself as a regional energy hub, Ekpo called for continued collaboration across public and private sectors to build a globally competitive gas economy.
“Let’s work together to position Nigeria as the energy hub of West Africa and a global player in the transition era,” he urged.
