… NNPC Ltd hails President Tinubu for their emergence, describes feat as milestone for Nigeria’s gas agenda

… NMDPRA ACE hails dual honours as testament to Nigeria’s growing leadership, global energy influence

Oredola Adeola

For the first time in its history, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) has both its Ministerial Meeting President and Secretary General from one nation, Nigeria, as Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), was elected President of the 2026 Ministerial Meeting, and Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Ltd, appointed Secretary General at the 27th Ministerial Meeting held on Thursday in Doha, Qatar.

Engr. Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu for his instrumental role in the emergence of Nigeria’s candidates at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

In a statement, Ojulari described the election of the Nigerian representatives as a historic milestone and a strong validation of the Federal Government’s Gas Agenda, which prioritizes natural gas as a key driver of industrial growth and economic transformation.

Advisors Reports gathered that Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Ltd, was elected Secretary General of the GECF at the Forum’s 27th Ministerial Meeting held on Thursday in Doha, Qatar.

He succeeds Algeria’s Mohamed Hamel as the fifth Secretary General of the global gas body, renowned for its advocacy in promoting natural gas as a cornerstone of global sustainable development.

Commending Mshelbila’s achievement, Ojulari noted, “NNPC Ltd is proud of what Dr. Mshelbila has accomplished at Nigeria LNG, where he has worked tirelessly to transform Nigeria’s vast gas reserves into export-grade LNG, LPG, and condensates, meeting domestic needs while serving international markets.”

He added that Mshelbila’s elevation “has firmly placed Nigeria on the global energy map,” affirming that President Tinubu’s Gas to Prosperity Agenda — which positions natural gas as the foundation for industrial growth, energy security, and economic progress — is yielding tangible results.

Ojulari further expressed confidence that with Mshelbila at the helm of the GECF, Nigeria, Africa, and NNPC Ltd will record remarkable strides toward making natural gas the pivotal resource for inclusive and sustainable development.

Ojulari, also extended his congratulations to Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), on his election as President of the 2026 Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Ministerial Meeting.

Ojulari commended the Minister’s unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s gas sector, noting that Ekpo has been at the forefront of national efforts to harness the country’s abundant gas resources for industrialisation, energy security, and economic growth.

Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in his statement congratulating Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), and MD/CEO of NLNG, reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the GECF’s mission .

The ACE in a statement released by Mr George Ene-Ita, Director, Public Affairs Department, emphasised the country’s readiness to continue working with other member states to foster cooperation, investment and innovation across the global gas value chain.

Engr. Ahmed, who doubles as the Nigerian Executive Board Member of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), described the dual honours as a testament to Nigeria’s growing leadership, credibility and recognition within the global gas community; noting that it reflects the country’s strategic contributions in the energy space.

Ahmed charged the new Secretary-General to serve with dedication, transparency and renewed commitment to advancing the collective interests of member countries, particularly in addressing global energy transition challenges and ensuring fair value for gas resources.

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) is an international intergovernmental organisation that serves as a strategic platform for cooperation, knowledge exchange, and policy dialogue among the world’s leading gas-exporting nations.

“Its primary objective is to promote a constructive balance between gas producers and consumers while ensuring the stability and security of global gas supply and demand.

The Forum’s member countries include Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

Observer members are Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Peru, and Senegal.

Collectively, GECF Member Countries hold about 69% of the world’s proven natural gas reserves, account for 39% of marketed production, contribute 40% of global gas exports, and represent 51% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, underscoring the Forum’s critical influence on the global energy landscape.