The Federal Government has restated its commitment to deepening Nigeria’s gas-to-power value chain as a key strategy to expand electricity supply, boost industrial growth and reduce energy poverty across the country.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, made this known while delivering an address at the National Gas Day session of the 9th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2026).
Ekpo said natural gas currently accounts for more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s on-grid electricity generation, describing it as the backbone of the nation’s power sector and a critical driver of economic development.
According to him, Nigeria’s vast gas endowment places the country in a strong position to use the resource as more than just a commodity, but as a tool for sustainable power supply and industrial expansion.
“With proven natural gas reserves of over 210 trillion cubic feet, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to leverage gas not only as a resource, but as a catalyst for power delivery, industrialisation and overall national growth,” the minister said.
He noted that despite the size of the country’s gas reserves, the true measure of progress lies in converting those resources into reliable electricity that reaches households, industries, hospitals and schools.
Ekpo explained that the Federal Government has prioritised natural gas as a transition fuel to ensure steady electricity supply while aligning with Nigeria’s climate and energy transition commitments.
“As a cleaner and more affordable energy source, gas allows us to expand electricity access, deepen industrialisation and reduce energy poverty in a practical and development-oriented way,” he stated.
The minister also disclosed that a major achievement of the current administration was the resolution of longstanding gas-to-power debts owed to gas producers, following presidential approval and ratification by the National Economic Council (NEC).
He said the settlement of the legacy debts has restored confidence in the domestic gas market and is already attracting new investments into gas supply for power generation.
“For many years, unpaid gas-to-power obligations discouraged investment and constrained supply. Resolving this challenge has removed a major bottleneck and laid the groundwork for a more sustainable and reliable gas-to-power framework,” Ekpo added.
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Gas-to-Power Value Chain
