Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria is positioning itself to attract multi-billion-dollar gas investments by unlocking massive infrastructure projects and deepening local participation across the gas value chain, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said on Tuesday at the 14th Practical Nigerian Content, PNC, Forum in Yenagoa.
Ekpo said the government is making an aggressive push to open new markets and secure investor confidence through a combination of large-scale pipelines, regional interconnections and policy stability.
“Investment remains the lifeblood of the energy sector,” he stated. “We are committed to stable policies, transparent processes, and market-driven incentives that attract long-term capital.”
The minister outlined an ambitious infrastructure rollout anchored on the AKK Pipeline, OB3 Pipeline, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, Trans-Atlantic Gas initiative, expansions on the West African Gas Pipeline, and the Nigerian-Equatorial Guinea Gas Pipeline.
He also disclosed ongoing discussions with Libya for additional interconnections.
“Collectively, these projects are essential for connecting markets, powering industries, enhancing energy security, and driving deeper regional integration,” Ekpo said.
He described the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, as the backbone of investor confidence in the sector, ensuring a “fully liberalised and investment-driven midstream and downstream environment” with aligned domestic supply obligations, pricing reforms and fiscal incentives.
Speaking on domestic expansion, the minister said Nigeria’s gas agenda is built on measurable priorities, including CNG expansion, LPG penetration, clean cooking rollout, and scaled LNG distribution.
“Under the Decade of Gas Initiative, we are scaling up CNG, deepening LPG, and expanding LNG. These efforts directly address energy poverty while stimulating local enterprise and job creation,” he said.
Ekpo also emphasised that sustained gas supply security is non-negotiable for powering industries and growing the economy.
“We are fast-tracking gas development programmes and strengthening flare-commercialisation to ensure sustained feedstock for power generation, manufacturing hubs and petrochemical expansion,” he noted.
He reaffirmed that gas remains Nigeria’s transition fuel and the anchor of future industrial development.
“Gas is central to Nigeria’s future, fuelling fertiliser plants, methanol projects, petrochemical complexes and gas-based industrial parks,” he said.
On local content, Ekpo stressed that Nigerian companies must occupy the centre of the emerging gas economy.
“Local content is no longer a policy; it is now a national imperative,” he declared. “We must strengthen capacity across fabrication, engineering, manufacturing and technology services.”
He commended the NCDMB under Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Ogbe for “deepening industrial integration and expanding indigenous participation,” noting that the Board’s industrial parks, capacity development programmes and local manufacturing initiatives are transforming the sector’s supply chain.
Ekpo assured investors that the Ministry will continue to collaborate with NCDMB, NUPRC, NMDPRA, NNPC Ltd., and private partners to eliminate bottlenecks and shorten approval timelines.
“We will create an environment where investors can thrive and expand operations with confidence,” he pledged.
Calling for unity of purpose, the minister urged stakeholders across government, industry and host communities to maintain collective commitment.
“The work ahead demands collaboration, innovation and unwavering dedication,” he said. “Our shared vision is a Nigeria where investment is secure, local content is strong, and gas stands as the backbone of national development.”
