Mkpoikana Udoma
Abuja — The Managing Director of the Nigeria LNG Limited, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, has issued a strong call for the Nigerian gas industry to shift from rhetoric to measurable performance, urging stakeholders to collaborate, integrate assets, and drive investment through improved delivery.
Speaking during a strategic panel session on “Accelerating Gas Development for Domestic & Global Energy Needs” at the ongoing NOG Energy Week 2025 in Abuja, Dr. Mshelbila said the industry must be defined by results, not just talk.
“Talk as much as you want, but if the results are not there, if people cannot invest their monies and get returns, then we are just wasting time talking. The narrative has to be about performance, creating the environment that will allow investment to grow and bring returns to stakeholders.”
The NLNG boss acknowledged that Nigeria had made significant strides in addressing long-standing industry challenges, particularly in gas supply and transportation.
“There were periods where we did not have enough supply to produce, and sometimes when we did produce, we didn’t have sufficient capacity to transport. The truth is, many of these issues have been tackled,” he said.
“With the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, governance and regulatory challenges have eased, enabling NNPC to play its role more effectively.”
He noted that recent reforms, including the Presidential Gas Directive, have catalyzed a fresh wave of foreign direct investment.
“The moment the Presidential Directive for Gas was announced, FDI started to come into the gas space due to the improved fiscal environment. At NLNG, we saw the growth of supply coming into our system, and many more are imminent.”
According to the NLNG boss, the path to long-term value lies in maximizing capital efficiency and asset integration across the gas value chain.
“We need to look at far more integration, better coordination of available assets is the most efficient way for industry players to save more money and deliver more value.”
He further urged stakeholders to expand their perspective beyond NLNG, advocating for diverse gas infrastructure investments including Floating LNG, FLNG, and decentralized gas facilities.
“We can look at domestic possibilities to impact the delivery of more gas for both local and export markets. We have done it before; we can do it again.”
Dr. Mshelbila pointedly compared Nigeria’s gas development trajectory with that of Qatar, urging industry leaders to be more ambitious.
“Qatar started in 1997 and is aiming at over 140 million tonnes per annum. Nigeria started in 1999, and we’re patting ourselves on the back for getting to 30 mtpa. Qatar is not out there advertising what it has; the world sees it. That’s what performance looks like.”
To achieve real transformation, he emphasized that government, industry players, communities, and regulators must align strategically and act decisively.
“This is where stakeholders come to the table. Once we get that alignment, we won’t have to chase the narrative, it will speak for itself.”
