Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s gas sector through strategic investments, expanded local content, and increased energy production.

Speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board’s (NCDMB) 14th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum, themed “Securing Investments, Strengthening Local Content, and Scaling Energy Production,” Ekpo described the moment as a defining time for the nation, stressing that the decisions taken at the forum would shape Nigeria’s economic competitiveness and energy future.

Ekpo acknowledged President Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering support and clear direction in driving reforms in the gas sector, noting that the President’s leadership continues to anchor efforts to build a globally competitive energy economy powered by natural gas. He also commended the NCDMB, led by Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Ogbe, for its pivotal role in deepening local content and expanding industrial capacity, highlighting the PNC Forum as a reliable platform for collaboration due to the Board’s effective coordination and consistent focus on indigenous participation.

Outlining the government’s priorities for gas development, Ekpo highlighted five key pillars. First, accelerating gas infrastructure deployment, citing major pipeline projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, OB3 pipeline, West African Gas Pipeline expansions, Trans-Saharan and Trans-Atlantic pipeline initiatives, and the Nigeria–Equatorial Guinea Gas Pipeline project, with ongoing discussions with Libya to enhance African gas connectivity and access new international markets.

Second, expanding domestic gas utilisation under the Decade of Gas Initiative through scaling up CNG use, deepening LPG penetration, expanding LNG solutions, and promoting clean cooking technologies to reduce energy poverty and support job creation. Third, enhancing gas production and supply security via upstream incentives, licensing interventions, and flare-commercialisation initiatives to ensure steady supply for power, industrial hubs, and petrochemicals. Fourth, driving industrial development by positioning gas as the backbone of industrial expansion, powering fertiliser plants, methanol projects, petrochemical complexes, and gas-based industrial parks through private-sector partnerships. Finally, promoting a clean energy transition with policies focused on emission reduction, lower carbon intensity, and positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s clean energy pathway.

Emphasising local content as a strategic economic pillar, Ekpo stressed the need to strengthen capacity in fabrication, engineering, component manufacturing, and technology services. He lauded NCDMB’s industrial parks, human capacity development programmes, and support for local manufacturing, saying these initiatives help retain value in the economy while building stronger indigenous supply chains.

Ekpo assured investors of continued collaboration with NCDMB, NUPRC, NMDPRA, NNPC Ltd., and private industry operators to remove bottlenecks, shorten approval timelines, and maintain a transparent, stable regulatory environment.

“Investment remains the lifeblood of the energy sector,” he said. “We are committed to providing the confidence, clarity, and conducive environment that long-term capital requires.”

Concluding his address, the Minister called on government agencies, industry players, academia, and host communities to unite toward a resilient and globally competitive energy sector. He praised the NCDMB for sustaining the PNC Forum as a platform for progress and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to initiatives that deepen local content and accelerate gas-led industrial development. “Gas stands as the backbone of national development,” Ekpo declared, reaffirming the government’s dedication to steering Nigeria toward a stronger, more inclusive energy future.