The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, says Nigeria has positioned itself as a leading global gas investment destination through far-reaching reforms, improved regulatory certainty and strategic infrastructure development aimed at driving sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the 2026 NOG Energy Week, the Minister said the country is transitioning from merely possessing vast natural gas reserves to becoming a gas-powered economy, capable of delivering prosperity for its citizens while contributing to global energy security.
Ekpo said with 215 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, the largest in Africa and among the top ten in the world, Nigeria is leveraging its resources to attract investment, deepen industrialisation and accelerate economic resilience.
He noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Orders, has transformed the country’s oil and gas sector by streamlining contracting processes, introducing fiscal incentives for gas development, eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks and restoring investor confidence.
According to the minister, the reforms have already begun yielding results, with major investment decisions returning to Nigeria’s energy sector.
Global Energy Governance
Mr. Ekpo also highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in global energy governance, citing the country’s assumption of the Presidency of the 2026 Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Ministerial Meeting and the election of Dr. Philip Mshelbila as Secretary-General of the organisation.
He further described Nigeria’s admission as an Association Country of the International Energy Agency (IEA), as a landmark achievement that reinforces the nation’s strategic role in promoting energy security and a balanced global energy transition.
Ekpo said the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative is prioritising domestic utilisation of natural gas to power industries, boost fertiliser and petrochemical production, expand clean cooking solutions and revolutionise transportation through the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative.
He identified critical infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and OB3 gas pipelines, as key to strengthening domestic gas supply and unlocking economic opportunities across the country.
The minister added that Nigeria is also expanding its presence in the global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market through the Nigeria LNG Train 7 Project, which will increase production capacity from 22 million to 30 million tonnes per annum upon completion.
Regional Integration
On regional integration, Ekpo reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strategic projects such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, the Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Nigeria–Equatorial Guinea Gas Pipeline, describing them as critical to expanding energy access and boosting economic integration across Africa.
The minister assured local and foreign investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining transparent regulations, fiscal stability and an enabling business environment.
“The world will continue to need more energy, and Nigeria is prepared to answer that call responsibly, reliably and competitively. Nigeria is open for business, investing in the future and committed to building shared prosperity through natural gas,” the minister said.
The event has as theme, “Advancing Energy Ambitions for Competitive and Resilient Economies.”
