Nigeria is stepping up efforts to become a major regional and global gas supply hub, as the Federal Government intensifies plans to attract large-scale investment into the energy sector under President Bola Tinubu.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed this at the High-Level Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Forum held in London. He outlined the government’s strategy to leverage gas as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and improved energy security.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, the minister explained that Nigeria’s approach focuses on unlocking opportunities across the entire gas value chain, including upstream production, processing, pipeline development, domestic utilisation, and export expansion.

Central to this plan is the “Decade of Gas” initiative, aimed at positioning natural gas as a key pillar of the country’s economic transformation and energy transition.

Ekpo highlighted several major infrastructure projects designed to boost regional integration and expand Nigeria’s presence in global energy markets. These include the West African Gas Pipeline, the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline Project, and the proposed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Atlantic Gas Pipeline, which aim to link Nigeria’s gas reserves to European markets.

He emphasised that infrastructure development remains critical to Nigeria’s economic agenda, covering sectors such as energy, transportation, manufacturing, and digital connectivity to boost productivity and competitiveness.

Describing natural gas as a transition fuel, Ekpo noted its role in expanding access to reliable energy while reducing emissions compared to more carbon-intensive sources.

He also called for stronger collaboration between governments, investors, financial institutions, and technology providers, noting that the United Kingdom remains a key partner in financing, technology transfer, and institutional investment.