14th Emmanuel Egbogah Lecture: Gas as a Bridge Fuel in the Decarbonization Era

At the 14th Emmanuel Egbogah Legacy Lecture Series (EELLS), Mrs. Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Falcon Corporation Ltd, delivered a keynote address on the global decarbonization era and the role of natural gas in shaping Nigeria’s energy future.

Nigeria in a Global Energy Transition

Ezigbo stressed that while the world is racing toward decarbonization, Nigeria lags significantly behind despite being resource-rich. She noted that over the last decade, energy transitions have become a reality as nations reshape their strategies, driven by geopolitics and economic risks.

Globally, there has been a surge in renewable energy investments, with around 40 nations signing treaties to phase out fossil fuels. Yet, paradoxically, some countries continue to increase fossil fuel reliance due to energy security concerns.

She observed that while China and India are scaling up renewables, they also maintain fossil fuel investments, with India even increasing coal capacity. Similarly, OPEC+ countries plan to ramp up oil production over the next 10–15 years to boost economic growth.

“Nigeria must not be left behind. With over 210 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves—the largest in Africa—yet millions still cooking with firewood, the paradox of wealth amid poverty must end,” she emphasized.

Energy Equity and Justice

Highlighting the concept of energy equity, Ezigbo explained that access to energy must be affordable, reliable, and sustainable, ensuring no community or socioeconomic group is left behind.

She criticized the environmental and health impacts of gas flaring on marginalized communities, while industries benefit from the same resources for clean energy. She argued for social and energy justice, where communities most affected by extraction are engaged, compensated, and empowered.

The Role of Natural Gas

According to Ezigbo, natural gas is Nigeria’s bridge fuel—a catalyst for industrialization, job creation, and trade. She highlighted Falcon Corporation’s distribution of over 37 billion cubic feet of gas, which has enabled industries to expand and create employment.

She outlined how natural gas could:

• Provide reliable feedstock for fertilizers, petrochemicals, and heavy industries.

• Support rural electrification and urban energy needs through mini-grids.

• Catalyze regional integration through projects such as the West Africa Gas Pipeline, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Despite reductions in flaring, Nigeria still wasted 192 billion standard cubic feet of gas in 2024, resources that could have powered industries and households.

Challenges and Policy Gaps

Ezigbo identified several barriers hindering Nigeria’s energy potential, including:

• Policy and regulatory inconsistencies despite the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

• Corruption, weak institutions, and lack of accountability.

• Underdeveloped distribution infrastructure such as pipelines.

• Capital-intensive nature of gas projects requiring sustained investment.

She stressed the urgency of building viable pipeline networks, advancing flaring technologies, and adopting systemic private-public collaboration to scale up gas access.

Moving Forward

Ezigbo concluded by urging Nigeria to adopt a twin-track approach:

• Optimize hydrocarbons—particularly natural gas—as transitional fuel.

• Simultaneously scale renewable energy investments.

She emphasized that Nigeria must ramp up gas-based industries such as fertilizer and ammonia plants to generate large-scale employment, while also addressing energy poverty and security challenges.

“Natural gas is Nigeria’s advantage. With deliberate strategies, equitable frameworks, and consistent implementation, it can drive prosperity, industrialization, and sustainable development for generations to come.”