Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called on the new leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) to prioritize the completion of key national gas infrastructure projects to boost economic development and support the government’s energy transition agenda.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed NNPC leadership, led by Chairman Ahmadu Musa Kida and Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Bayo Ojulari, the Minister emphasized the urgency of completing the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline projects.
“These projects are vital for expanding gas access across Nigeria and are central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Ekpo said.
He also urged NNPC Ltd. to work closely with the Ministry to deliver on other critical initiatives, including:
- The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP)
- The Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline Project (Nigeria–Equatorial Guinea)
- The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project
Highlighting Nigeria’s 209 trillion cubic feet of untapped natural gas reserves, Ekpo encouraged NNPC to create incentives that would unlock the sector’s potential for both domestic usage and export.
“We have natural gas in abundance, but we’re not leveraging it fully for local development,” he stated. “We must add value to this resource to drive industrialization and grow the economy.”
Ekpo further emphasized the government’s push toward Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to petrol, following the removal of fuel subsidies. He noted ongoing efforts to resolve challenges related to the affordability and availability of CNG conversion kits.
“President Tinubu places high importance on CNG as a cleaner, cheaper fuel alternative, and we’re committed to making it accessible to all Nigerians,” he added.
In response, NNPC Ltd. Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, said the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership and reaffirm the company’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry to deliver on national energy goals.
GCEO Bayo Ojulari praised the Minister’s collaborative approach and highlighted recent progress, including the resolution of the long-standing issues surrounding the Brass Methanol Project Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA). He pledged continued partnership to advance the President’s gas sector objectives.
Other officials present at the meeting included Adedapo Segun, Chief Financial Officer; Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer; and Salewa Yusuf, Business Advisor to the GCEO.
