… expect improved gas supply for power sector – Ekpo

Adeshewa Precious

The approval was granted at the NEC meeting of December 3, 2025, and confirmed in a statement by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, as obtained by Advisors Reports.

According to the government, the approval represents a major strategic step by President Bola Tinubu to stimulate upstream gas development and strengthen gas-to-power generation nationwide.

Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), said the decision will translate into improved gas supply to the power sector.

He noted that the settlement of the ₦185 billion legacy debts will guarantee steady delivery to generation companies (GenCos).

He commended President Tinubu for fast-tracking the implementation of the Decade of Gas programme, adding that the 154th NEC resolution marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s gas industry and its overall power-generation landscape.

Nigeria, one of Africa’s most gas-rich nations, has long struggled to harness its vast reserves due to infrastructural gaps, regulatory challenges, and mounting financial obligations.

A major setback has been the accumulation of unpaid debts to gas producers, which constrained upstream investments and weakened gas supply to the power sector.

The settlement of the ₦185 billion legacy debts is now expected to revive confidence among operators, improve cash flow across the industry, and stimulate new investments critical to expanding production.

The move is also projected to enhance gas availability for power generation—an essential step toward stabilizing the country’s electricity supply.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has repeatedly underscored gas as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic strategy, with a focus on strengthening domestic production, creating jobs, and boosting national revenue.

Prioritizing gas-to-power initiatives aligns with broader efforts to improve electricity access and drive industrial development.

The approval also reinforces the objectives of the Decade of Gas programme, which seeks to mobilize key stakeholders and unlock more than 12 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) of gas supply by 2030.