Nigeria Transforming Gas Sector As Catalyst For Industrialisation — Ekpo

The minister of state, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has said that Nigeria is fast- tracking efforts to transform the country’s gas resources to increasingly serve as a catalyst for industrialisation, power generation, transportation, manufacturing, fertiliser production, LPG adoption and other productive activities across our economy.

Speaking at the 2026 energy conference of the Nigeria Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) with the theme,” Access to Assets: Empowering Players and Driving Growth” the minister represented by his technical adviser, Abel Nsa, said currently the federal government has continued to prioritise critical gas infrastructure.

He listed some of the initiative to include the AKK and OB3 Gas Pipelines which he described as critical to strengthening the national gas network and connecting supply with major demand centres.

He said the ongoing transformation is considered essential as infrastructure is the bridge between our resources and the industries, power plants, businesses and households that need them.

The Minister espouse that access to assets, therefore, must be understood more broadly than access to licences or acreage.

According to him, An investor may have an asset but still be unable to develop it because of inadequate infrastructure, financing constraints, regulatory uncertainty, limited evacuation capacity or insufficient market access, adding, “Our objective must consequently be to create an ecosystem where access to resources is matched by access to infrastructure, capital, markets and predictable regulation.” He further informed the audience that “We are also focused on creating a more attractive environment for investment.

“The reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, together with targeted fiscal and regulatory measures for gas development, are intended to improve competitiveness, reduce barriers and enhance project bankability. Our message to credible investors is clear: Nigeria is open for responsible investment in its gas sector.” In achieving its target, he said government recognises that it cannot develop the sector alone as it needs the capital, technology, expertise and commercial discipline of the private sector.

“We also need stronger collaboration among regulators, financial institutions, development partners and industry players to ensure that viable gas projects can move from concept to final investment decision and, ultimately, production.” he added. Ekpo, said the opportunities created by the gas resources must not be limited to a few large players, pointing out “We want to see greater participation by indigenous companies, independent producers, infrastructure developers, technology providers and emerging energy businesses.”

Therefore he noted that empowering more capable Nigerian players will deepen competition, strengthen local capacity and ensure that a greater share of the value created within the energy sector remains in the Nigerian economy. The minister also added, “Our objective is also to maximise domestic gas utilisation. We must increasingly convert our gas resources into value-added products rather than viewing gas solely as a commodity for export. Gas-to-power, LNG, LPG, CNG, fertiliser, petrochemicals and other gas-based industries offer enormous opportunities for investment, industrial development and job creation. “In this regard, the government’s initiatives to expand LPG access and promote CNG adoption demonstrate our commitment to bringing the benefits of gas closer to ordinary Nigerians. Our ambition is to ensure that gas is not simply produced in Nigeria, but that Nigerians can use it, build businesses around it and benefit economically from it.: He also added that government will ensure that access to assets translates into meaningful Nigerian participation and community development.

He said the Nigerian Content must continue to evolve from participation in contracts to ownership of capabilities, technology, capital and assets and host communities must also see tangible benefits from petroleum operations.

This is essential for building an industry that is sustainable, inclusive and supported by the people. Ekpo added. He reaffirmed the commitment of the government to provide the policy certainty, regulatory clarity, infrastructure and enabling environment that allow investors and operators to succeed.

In return, he said government expect industry players to bring capital, innovation, efficiency and a commitment to developing Nigeria’s resources responsibly.

The partnership between government and industry must therefore be built around a shared objective: turning Nigeria’s energy potential into measurable economic growth, he said. He noted that Nigeria has the resources; but what is need led now is to unlock their full value and move from access to assets, to development of assets; from development to utilisation; and from utilisation to broad-based economic growth.

The federal government, he said remains committed to creating the conditions for this transformation and urged all stakeholders to work with government to build a gas sector that is investable, competitive, inclusive and capable of powering Nigeria’s next phase of growth.

He said that Access to assets must ultimately become access to opportunity, prosperity and national development. I thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.