Nigeria's Ekperikpe Ekpo Advocates for Gas in Energy Transition

On September 25, 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated that Nigeria's energy transition must reflect its development realities. Speaking at the 2026 annual conference of the Association of Energy Correspondents in Abuja, Ekpo positioned natural gas as a crucial transition fuel and driver of industrialization, rather than merely an export commodity.

He acknowledged the global shift towards cleaner energy but stressed the necessity for reliable electricity and clean cooking fuels for millions of Nigerians, as well as affordable energy for industries. The Decade of Gas Initiative aims to repurpose gas for domestic use in power, manufacturing, and transportation.

Ekpo highlighted the importance of ongoing reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to attract investment, while also addressing challenges such as infrastructure constraints and regulatory bottlenecks. He urged energy correspondents to provide accurate information to build investor confidence.