Nigeria's immediate challenge in the gas sector is not the availability of resources but expanding access to consumers, businesses and industries that require reliable energy supplies, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has said.
Speaking at the 2026 Business Forum of the Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) in Abuja, Ekpo said the country must focus on translating its vast natural gas resources into practical economic value through improved distribution, infrastructure development and increased domestic utilisation.
Nigeria holds more than 209 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, placing it among countries with the largest gas resources globally. However, the minister noted that the true measure of success lies in how effectively those resources are deployed to support industrial activity, household energy needs, employment creation and broader economic development.
Represented by the Director of Midstream and Downstream, Mrs. Ikenma Irene, Ekpo delivered a keynote address titled, "From Gas Abundance to Gas Access: Reassessing Nigeria's Gas Distribution Imperatives."
According to him, countries that have achieved sustained industrial growth have done so by ensuring reliable energy access and building efficient energy markets capable of supporting economic expansion.
He stressed that moving from resource abundance to widespread accessibility would require coordinated efforts across government institutions and the private sector, supported by consistent policies, infrastructure investments and stronger stakeholder collaboration.
Ekpo said the Federal Government remains committed to deepening domestic gas utilisation through ongoing initiatives designed to strengthen Nigeria's gas economy and improve energy access across the country.
He pointed to reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, noting that the legislation has helped create a more predictable regulatory environment, encouraged private investment and supported infrastructure expansion across the gas value chain.
The minister urged industry operators, investors and other stakeholders to focus on practical solutions that can accelerate gas distribution and improve access for end users nationwide.
He added that expanding gas availability would play a critical role in supporting industrial development, improving household energy access, generating employment opportunities and driving long-term economic growth.
Ekpo also called for greater emphasis on implementation, saying the country must convert policy objectives into measurable outcomes that deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.
Industry stakeholders at the forum examined strategies for strengthening gas distribution networks and unlocking opportunities within Nigeria's domestic gas market as the country seeks to increase utilisation of its substantial natural gas resources.