By Izuchukwu Mayor, Lagos
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has highlighted the critical role of gas in driving Nigeria and Africa’s energy security agenda at the recent Gas Investment Forum in Lagos.
Board Advisory Member, Grace Orife, emphasised that gas is the cornerstone of Africa’s industrial renaissance – powering factories, fertilizer production, power generation and contributing to job creation in the country.
According to AEC’s statement, Dr Orife applauded Nigeria’s commitment to championing Africa’s gas sector expansion through its Decade of Gas initiative.
Launched in 2021, the initiative seeks to maximize the country’s 210 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven gas reserves to accelerate national economic growth.
She was quoted as saying: “Gas is not merely a transition fuel; it is the cornerstone of Africa’s industrial renaissance.
It powers our factories, provides feedstock for fertilizer production, supports power generation, and creates jobs across the value chain.”
With 600 million Africans lacking access to electricity and 900 million without clean cooking solutions, the continent’s 620tcf of gas resources will be central to achieving universal energy access and inclusive development.
Highlighting Nigeria’s progress, she cited flagship projects, including: the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano and Obiafu–Obrikom–Oben gas pipelines; the NLNG Train 7 expansion; the Assa North–Ohaji South joint venture between NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company and Seplat Energy; and the Ubeta Gas Development Project led by NNPC and TotalEnergies.
Collectively, these projects underscore Nigeria’s determination to unlock its gas potential and attract investment, she added.
Realising this promise, however, demands bold investment and deliberate execution – from unlocking reserves and expanding infrastructure to integrating midstream and downstream value chains and creating financing frameworks that attract global capital.
In 2025 alone, the country said it has secured $18.2 billion in oil and gas commitments from global investors – demonstrating confidence in its enabling environment fostered by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.
Ms Orife also highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in low-carbon and sustainable gas development, referencing initiatives such as the UTM Offshore Floating LNG facility, the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme and the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Project.
She commended Nigeria’s rollout of the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline, the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the West African Gas Pipeline Expansion.
She emphasised the need to strengthen partnerships, revitalise policies and accelerate infrastructure development for Nigeria to build on its gas sector expansion progress.
“Realising this promise, however, demands bold investment and deliberate execution – from unlocking reserves and expanding infrastructure to integrating midstream and downstream value chains and creating financing frameworks that attract global capital,” she concluded.
