Minister Admits Slow Progress, Sets New Targets for Decade of Gas

By Naija Enquirer Staff

Nigeria’s flagship Decade of Gas Initiative, launched in 2021 to transform the country into a gas-powered economy, has achieved only partial progress and now requires urgent acceleration, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.

Speaking at the 14th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum in Yenagoa, the minister noted that while gains have been recorded in LPG penetration, CNG deployment, and flare-gas commercialisation, the pace remains far below national expectations.

“We have made progress, but not enough,” he admitted. “The pace has been slower than expected, and we must move with far greater urgency.”

Ekpo listed infrastructure delays, inconsistent gas supply, funding constraints, and slow policy execution as key factors hindering the initiative’s full impact.

“Critical pipelines are behind schedule. Feedstock shortages still hamper power and industries,” he stated. “These challenges have limited the full realisation of the Decade of Gas vision.”

Fresh Drive to Accelerate Delivery

The minister outlined a renewed push anchored on tighter regulatory collaboration and improved investment incentives.

“We are strengthening inter-agency alignment to remove approval bottlenecks,” he said. “The PIA provides fiscal tools to unlock more capital into midstream and domestic gas programmes.”

He acknowledged measurable progress in domestic LPG use, clean-cooking adoption, and flare-gas utilisation, describing them as “solid foundations that now need rapid scaling.”

“Our goal remains clear: affordable gas for power, households, industries, and transport,” Ekpo said. “We are not abandoning the Decade of Gas; we are intensifying it.”

Priority Projects

The minister listed several critical infrastructure projects that will determine the success of the initiative, including OB3, AKK, NLNG Train 7, Brass Fertiliser, and multiple gas-based industrial hubs.

“These projects will determine whether the Decade of Gas becomes a transformative legacy or a missed opportunity,” he warned.

Call for Stakeholder Collaboration

Ekpo urged industry players, financial institutions, and host communities to recommit to the national gas agenda.

“We need every stakeholder on board,” he said. “Nigeria cannot afford to slow down at a time when global markets are shifting and opportunities are emerging.”