…say prioritising value chain partnerships key to advancing infrastructure, regulation, viable gas projects
Oredola Adeola
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s gas distribution sector have highlighted the need for enhanced collaboration across the downstream value chain to unlock the full potential of the country’s gas resources for domestic utilisation.
They emphasised that prioritizing industry partnerships is crucial to advancing infrastructure, refining regulatory frameworks, and driving commercially viable gas development projects.
This was part of the major issues discussed during the Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) inaugural Business Forum held, at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Tower in Abuja.
The event, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Value Chain: Challenges, Innovations, and the Path Forward,” was described by the Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) as a major step toward advancing activities in the country’s downstream natural gas distribution value chain.
Mr. Kehinde Alabi, Chairman of ALDG and Managing Director of Axxela Gas Distribution, emphasised the urgent need to unlock Nigeria’s gas potential through infrastructure development, regulatory clarity, and market-driven pricing.
“The question is no longer if gas matters, but how we unlock its full potential”, he said.
Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), represented at the event by Dr Abel Igheghe, Technical Adviser (Downstream), strongly reaffirmed the government’s commitment to gas development.
He praised local distributors’ contributions to job creation and energy access while pledging continued policy support.
Mrs Olu Arowolo Verheijen, Special Adviser on Energy to the President, in her comment also emphasised the critical gap in domestic gas utilisation, noting that only 30% of Nigeria’s produced gas currently serves the local market.
Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) was represented by Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, emphasised the regulator’s role in ensuring reliable gas supply, efficient infrastructure, and competitive pricing to drive industrialisation and energy security.
Hon. Ahmed Aluko, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Gas, further reinforced legislative support and assured continued policy advancement to attract investments.
Industry associations, including the Nigerian Gas Association, Nigerian Liquefied and Compressed Gases Association, and Virtual Gas Infrastructure Association of Nigeria, united in their call for value chain collaboration to achieve scale and sustainability.
Mr. Ed Ubong, Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, commended ALDG’s rapid institutional growth and the progress made in gas infrastructure development.
Mr. Oga Adejo-Ogiri, ALDG Executive Secretary, underscored the forum’s central message of collaboration across government, industry, and society.
This inaugural event establishes a strong foundation for ongoing dialogue and action to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic gas distribution network, positioning natural gas as a driver of economic growth and energy transition.
The Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) is the premier advocacy group for Nigeria’s gas distribution sector, committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions through policy engagement, capacity building, and industry collaboration.
The event, which was sponsored by leading organisations, including Axxela, Shell Nigeria Gas, Falcon Corporation Limited, Tetracore Energy Group, Powergas Nigeria, Entec Power and Utilities Company Limited, GasHub Nigeria Limited, Gascomarine Limited, Junaid Energy Limited, Highland LNG, A4E Energy Limited, Petroleum Technology Development Fund and Layer3.
