The Federal Government (FG) has renewed its focus on strengthening Nigeria’s gas-to-power sector as part of a broader strategy to expand electricity supply, support industrial growth, and reduce energy poverty. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasized the importance of natural gas as the backbone of the country’s power sector during his address at the National Gas Day session of the 9th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2026).
Ekpo highlighted that natural gas currently contributes over 70% of Nigeria’s on-grid electricity generation, making it a critical driver of economic development. “With proven natural gas reserves exceeding 210 trillion cubic feet, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to use gas not just as a resource, but as a catalyst for power delivery, industrialisation, and national growth,” he said.
While Nigeria’s gas reserves rank among the largest globally, Ekpo stressed that the true measure of success lies in translating these resources into actual electricity for homes, industries, hospitals, and schools. He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to using gas as a transition fuel to ensure reliable energy while supporting the country’s climate goals.
Describing gas as a cleaner and more affordable energy source, Ekpo explained how it can help expand electricity access and reduce energy poverty in a pragmatic, development-focused manner. “Gas enables us to deepen industrialisation and deliver consistent power to communities across Nigeria,” he added, highlighting its potential to transform the nation’s energy landscape.
One of the administration’s major achievements, the minister noted, was resolving longstanding gas-to-power debts owed to producers. With the approval of the National Economic Council (NEC), these legacy debts have been cleared, restoring confidence in the domestic gas market and unlocking new investments. “For decades, unpaid obligations constrained supply and discouraged investment. Resolving this issue has removed a major bottleneck and laid the foundation for a more sustainable gas-to-power framework,” Ekpo said.
source: vanguard