Oredola Adeola

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has encouraged Canadian businesses and investors to seize the vast opportunities in Nigeria’s gas sector through the Decade of Gas initiative and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

Louis Ibah, spokesman for the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), confirmed the statement in a document signed and obtained by Advisors Reports on Thursday.

The Minister remarked at a welcome reception hosted by the Nigerian High Commission in Alberta, Calgary, Canada, where he is attending the ongoing Global Energy Show.

Ekpo described the Global Energy Show as a platform where the brightest minds and most influential leaders in the energy sector converge, noting that the gathering offers an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s immense potential in the global energy landscape, particularly in the gas sector.

“We welcome Canadian businesses and investors to explore Nigeria’s vast opportunities. Our government is dedicated to ensuring a stable and conducive environment for investments, with a focus on transparency, efficiency, and mutual benefit,” Ekpo said.

The Minister of State Petroleum (Gas) emphasized that Nigeria, blessed with one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world, is committed to harnessing this resource as a catalyst for economic growth and as a vital component of its energy transition strategy.

According to Ekpo, the Nigerian government has made substantial strides in recent years to create an enabling environment for investment in the gas sector. Initiatives such as the Decade of Gas have been launched to transform Nigeria into a gas-powered economy by 2030.

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 established the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), which provides a strategic framework to remove bottlenecks, incentivize investments, and foster a conducive environment for gas infrastructure development.

Ekpo urged private sector investors to see Nigeria as a prime destination, highlighting their importance in the journey towards the country’s energy security and sustainability.

“Let us foster deeper connections, share knowledge, and pave the way for a future where our energy collaboration leads to mutual prosperity and a sustainable world,” he added.