Uche Cecil Izuora

At the onset of the present administration there have been deliberate policy alignment to build gas infrastructure as the product has been widely projected to play pivotal role in helping Nigeria sustain its energy security and prosperity.

Only this Monday, President Bola Tinubu, declared that Nigeria remained committed to a balanced approach to energy transition that supports the vulnerable of the society.

The president, who said that was the only key to the success of the idea, however, insisted that the idea still required substantial investments in the oil and gas sector to meet the energy demands and economic needs of its population.

At the Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS) 2024 which held in Abuja, critical stakeholders emphasised the urgent need for innovation in the energy landscape.

According to the group, with new players like Ghana, Tanzania, Senegal, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, and Uganda joining traditional leaders such as Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Gabon, and Angola, Africa’s massive gas resources presented a path to a sustainable future.

The AGIS 2024 is a lineup of collaborators, led by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), The Decade of Gas Secretariat, Association of Local Distributors (ALDS).

Others are the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Association of Energy Correspondents in Nigeria (NAEC), and Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies (IPES).

The event was supported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the African Energy Chamber (AEC).

Chairman, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, Salahuddeen Tahir said: “Our easiest path to a sustainable future lies in our gas resources and the shortest path to developing these gas resources is through collaboration and innovation”, adding that despite the potential, several challenges persist.

Tahir noted that Africa’s energy sector was at a critical juncture, facing challenges such as financing gaps, technological and skills deficiencies, high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, global pressure for cleaner energy, and security concerns.

Envisioned as Africa’s premier annual gas event, he said (AGIS) was set to rotate across African states in the future, serving as a hub for the exchange of ideas on harnessing Africa’s gas resources to drive economic growth and prosperity. According to him, the summit promotes the Penta Helix model, engaging government, industry, academia, the entrepreneurial community, and venture financial institutions to foster innovation.

It is hoped that this inaugural edition of AGIS will herald a new era of innovation and collaboration aimed at leveraging Africa’s abundant gas resources for sustainable development.

“Collaborative initiatives, such as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline and the Tanzania-Uganda Gas Pipeline, highlight the importance of cooperation. Moreover, the African Energy Bank (AEB) establishment by Afreximbank and the Africa Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) underscores the collective efforts required to support African gas producers,” Tahir stated.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari represented by Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, NNPC Ltd,at the event emphasised Nigeria’s substantial natural gas resources and their potential to address energy deficiencies and drive economic growth. Kyari echoed the NNPC’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions through various gas infrastructure projects, floating LNG projects, and initiatives to commercialise gas.

“Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources, approximately 209 TCF, can address Sub-Saharan Africa’s energy deficiency by providing electricity, clean cooking fuel, auto gas, and industrial feedstock, thereby generating wealth and improving well-being”, Kyari said.

Speaking on behalf of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC), its Chairman, Ugo Amadi, emphasised the summit’s importance in exploring opportunities within Nigeria’s gas sector and fostering technological development and innovation across Africa. He called for supportive policies, strengthened capacities, and collaboration among key sectors to drive sustainable energy development.