Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas).
…President Tinubu has placed gas at the heart of Nigeria’s energy strategy.
…FG making assiduous efforts to move about 5 million homes to clean cooking by 2030, increased investment in gas infrastructure.
-Felix Douglas
In his Ministerial address and remarks at the 48th Nigeria Annual International Conference & Exhibition (NAICE) 2025; with the Theme: “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Policy,” organised by Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, applauded the leadership and members of SPE Nigeria Council for unwavering commitment to excellence and knowledge-sharing.
The Minister of was of the view that over the years, NAICE has evolved into a premier platform for thought leadership, technical advancement, and strategic policy dialogue in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
According to him the theme of this year’s conference, “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Policy”, is timely and instructive.
It aligns squarely with the Federal Government’s (FG) efforts to reconfigure energy sector into one that is more sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented.
Ekpo stated further that Nigeria is in a defining moment for the global energy sector. The twin imperatives of ensuring energy security and meeting climate commitments have placed countries like Nigeria at the forefront of a global balancing act, one that demands thoughtful innovation, bold policy decisions, and strategic investment.
“As part of our response, President Bola Tinubu, has placed gas at the heart of Nigeria’s energy strategy. His vision, aptly captured in the phrase “From Gas to Prosperity”, reflects our national ambition to utilise our abundant natural gas resources to fuel industrialisation, create jobs, and expand access to clean and affordable energy for all Nigerians.”
Nigeria has taken decisive steps in line with this vision.
“We have expanded gas supply for industrial use, prioritising gas availability for manufacturing hubs, power generation, and industrial corridors, as at today, I’ve been reassured that every gas offtaker currently receives the gas they require for their industrial processes; rolled out the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) penetration programme, distributing cylinders across the six geopolitical zones and empowering women and youth, promoting clean cooking, with a renewed target of moving about 5 million homes to clean cooking by 2030 increased investment in gas infrastructure, with critical projects like the OB3 and AKK pipelines progressing to deliver gas to markets nationwide promoted modular and scalable gas projects, including mini-LNG and CNG stations, to improve last-mile access and stimulate local economic activity facilitated job creation through strategic public-private partnerships in the construction, logistics, and retail segments of the gas value chain.
Ekpo reiterated that under the Decade of Gas Initiative, Nigeria is also making meaningful strides to unlock value across the midstream and downstream sectors.
Notably, FG has facilitated the development of gas processing facilities and virtual pipeline systems; ensuring gas reaches off-grid and underserved communities.
The government has also supported private sector investment in LPG and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure, including autogas stations, domestic cylinder manufacturing, and distribution networks, strengthened coordination via the Decade of Gas Secretariat, driving alignment and accountability across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
FG has advanced the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), converting waste to wealth while supporting environmental goals, secured presidential approvals to address legacy debts, incentivising upstream gas supply and stabilising the domestic market.
The government has released much needed financial support to project promoters via the Midstream Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF).
Ekpo said all these efforts are anchored on a single, resolute belief, which is, that Nigeria’s gas must work for Nigerians, not just as an export commodity, but as a foundation for inclusive growth, national development, and energy security.
The Minister spoke on four pillars highlighted in the theme: Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Policy, each of which plays a vital role in shaping energy future.
Technology: The adoption of digital solutions, automation, and data-driven tools across the gas value chain is essential. From reservoir monitoring to distribution analytics, emerging technologies can enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and optimise delivery. The Ministry continues to collaborate with industry players to foster digital innovation.
Supply Chain: A strong local supply chain is essential to sustaining the gas economy. Through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), FG is driving localisation of equipment manufacturing, pipe production, and other critical components to reduce import dependence and build national resilience.
Human Resources: Human capital remains the country’s greatest asset. FG is committed to nurturing a technically sound, diverse, and future-ready workforce through continuous training, strategic academic-industry partnerships, and deliberate youth and gender inclusion policies in the gas space.
Policy: The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has provided a solid regulatory and fiscal foundation. We are implementing market-reflective gas pricing frameworks, encouraging deepwater gas development, and enforcing domestic supply obligations to drive investor confidence and sector expansion.
The Minister maintained that Nigeria’s pathway to a sustainable energy future is one of collaboration. Government alone cannot achieve this vision. We need the insight of professionals like you, the enterprise of our private sector, the innovation of our youth, and the support of our global partners.
He commended the SPE Nigeria Council for sustaining this invaluable platform to shape the future of the industry and the nation.
He urged stakeholders to continue pushing boundaries, sharing knowledge, and advancing solutions.
“Together, we can build a gas-powered energy future that drives prosperity, inclusiveness, and sustainability for generations to come.”
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