Nigeria’s Bold Push For Multi-Billion-Dollar Gas Investments

Nigeria’s Bold Push For Multi-Billion-Dollar Gas Investments

Nigeria is stepping into a new era of energy transformation, positioning itself as a hub for multi-billion-dollar gas investments through ambitious infrastructure projects and stronger local participation across the gas value chain. Speaking at the 14th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum in Yenagoa, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, outlined the government’s aggressive strategy to unlock new markets, secure investor confidence, and cement gas as the backbone of national development.

Ekpo emphasized that “investment remains the lifeblood of the energy sector”, underscoring the government’s commitment to stable policies, transparent processes, and market-driven incentives that attract long-term capital. Central to this vision is a sweeping infrastructure rollout anchored on projects such as 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 further revealed ongoing discussions with Libya to deepen regional interconnections, highlighting the strategic importance of cross-border collaboration in enhancing energy security and integration.

At the heart of investor confidence lies the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which Ekpo described as the backbone of Nigeria’s gas sector. By ensuring a fully liberalised and investment-driven midstream and downstream environment, the PIA aligns domestic supply obligations with pricing reforms and fiscal incentives, creating a fertile ground for sustained growth.

Domestically, Nigeria’s gas agenda is built on measurable priorities: expanding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), deepening Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) penetration, rolling out clean cooking initiatives, and scaling Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) distribution. Under the Decade of Gas Initiative, these efforts are directly tackling energy poverty while stimulating local enterprise and job creation. Ekpo stressed that sustained gas supply security is non-negotiable, as it powers industries, strengthens manufacturing hubs, and supports petrochemical expansion. Gas, he reaffirmed, is Nigeria’s transition fuel and the anchor of future industrial development. From fertiliser plants and methanol projects to petrochemical complexes and gas-based industrial parks, the sector is poised to drive economic diversification and industrial growth.

Equally critical is the role of local content. Ekpo declared that “local content is no longer a policy; it is now a national imperative”, urging Nigerian companies to occupy the centre of the emerging gas economy. He commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), under Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Ogbe, for deepening industrial integration and expanding indigenous participation through industrial parks, capacity development programmes, and local manufacturing initiatives.

Looking ahead, 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. The goal, he pledged, is to create an environment where investors can thrive and expand operations with confidence. In closing, the minister called for unity of purpose among government, industry, and host communities. “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.”

Nigeria’s gas future is not just about infrastructure, it is about building resilience, fostering innovation, and ensuring that the country’s vast natural resources translate into sustainable prosperity for generations to come.

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