Shell Urges Nigeria to Boost Investments and Infrastructure for Gas Industrialisation

Nigeria’s gas sector holds immense promise for economic growth and industrialisation, but sustained efforts are needed to attract and retain investments, senior executives from Shell Energy Nigeria have urged. Speaking at the third Gas Investment Forum in Lagos, Shell’s leaders highlighted that strong infrastructure, consistent policies, and strategic partnerships are crucial to tapping the country’s vast gas resources.

Markus Hector, General Manager of Shell Energy Nigeria, and Ralph Gbobo, Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), emphasized that collaboration between international oil companies (IOCs) and local independents is key. Representing Hector during a panel on ‘Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Imperative: Driving Investments through IOC–Independent Partnerships,’ Chuka Amos-Ejesi noted that IOCs bring global expertise and capital, while local companies offer operational flexibility and insight into Nigeria’s unique market. Such partnerships, he added, are vital for building domestic capacity in engineering, operations, and supply chain management.

Gbobo shared details of SNG’s ongoing infrastructure projects, including gas hubs in Port Harcourt, Aba, Ota, and the newest facility in Yenagoa, with plans to expand to other cities. He described these developments as the backbone of Nigeria’s gas industrialisation drive, stressing that investments in infrastructure not only improve accessibility but also reduce operational costs and carbon emissions, making gas a more sustainable energy option for industries and communities alike.

Policy clarity and consistency were highlighted as another critical factor. Gbobo emphasized that a stable regulatory framework will attract long-term capital, while strong collaboration between the public and private sectors will drive scale, innovation, and efficiency in the sector. “Gas will continue to support Nigeria’s energy transition, providing reliable power, creating jobs, and fostering industrial diversification and regional trade,” he said, underlining the sector’s transformative potential.

The Gas Investment Forum brought together policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities across Nigeria’s gas value chain—from upstream to downstream operations. With the country pursuing its Decade of Gas objectives, Shell’s message was clear: strategic investments, consistent policies, and robust partnerships are the levers needed to fully harness Nigeria’s gas resources and accelerate industrial growth.

source: The Guardian