The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leading global gas producer while expanding domestic access to natural gas through major infrastructure projects, clean energy programmes and regional pipeline initiatives.
Speaking at the 2026 NOG Energy Week in Abuja, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said ongoing investments in gas infrastructure are transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape and strengthening the country’s energy security.
The minister said the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and OB3 gas pipelines are making steady progress and are integrating Nigeria’s national gas grid by transporting gas from the resource-rich southern region to industrial centres in the North and West.
According to him, the projects, alongside new public and private gas processing plants, are increasing lean gas availability, reducing gas flaring and unlocking liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and condensates for domestic industries.
On Nigeria’s export ambitions, the minister said the country is determined not only to participate in the growing global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market but to become a leading supplier, particularly as demand rises across Europe and Asia.
He said the ongoing expansion of Nigeria LNG Limited, including the Train 7 project, will significantly increase the country’s LNG production capacity from its current level of about 22 million tonnes per annum, strengthening Nigeria’s position in global energy markets.
The minister stressed that the Federal Government’s gas strategy prioritises domestic economic benefits, noting that gas development must directly improve the lives of Nigerians.
He highlighted the National Clean Cooking Programme, which aims to transition five million households to LPG by 2030. The initiative, he said, will reduce dependence on firewood and other biomass fuels, improve public health, protect forests and create thousands of jobs across the LPG value chain.
He also highlighted the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative, describing it as a key intervention designed to reduce transportation costs through nationwide vehicle conversion programmes and the expansion of CNG refuelling stations.
According to him, the initiative offers Nigerians a cheaper alternative to petrol and is expected to cut transport costs by as much as 50 per cent while creating a sustainable domestic market for natural gas.
The minister further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional energy integration through strategic cross-border pipeline projects, including the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea Gas Pipeline.
He said the projects, together with the continued expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline network, will enhance gas commercialisation, strengthen African energy security and deepen regional economic integration.
The minister assured investors that the Federal Government would continue implementing reforms aimed at creating a transparent regulatory environment, providing fiscal incentives and protecting investments.
He said Nigeria possesses the resources, is implementing critical reforms, building modern infrastructure and strengthening institutions to ensure the gas sector remains attractive to both local and international investors.
“Nigeria is ready. Nigeria is open for business. Nigeria is investing in the future,” he said, calling on investors, financiers and technology partners to support the country’s drive towards a gas-powered economy.
