LAGOS – The Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG), has emphasised the urgent need to unlock Nigeria’s gas potential through infrastructure development, regulatory clarity, and market-driven pricing.
Its chairman, Mr Kehinde Alabi, disclosed this when the association hosted its inaugural Business Forum, at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Tower in Abuja.
Alabi, who is also Managing Director of Axxela Gas Distribution,said: “The question is no longer if gas matters, but how we unlock its full potential.”
The landmark event brought together key stakeholders from Nigeria’s gas distribution sector, who called for a deeper collaboration to unlock Nigeria’s gas capabilities.
They reiterated the need for the industry to prioritise partnerships to collectively focus on enhancing infrastructure, improving the regulatory environment, and promoting commercially viable developments
Speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, represented at the event by his Technical Adviser (Downstream) Dr Abel Igheghe, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to gas development.
He commended local distributors’ contributions to job creation and energy access while pledging continued policy support.
Mrs Olu Arowolo Verheijen, Special Adviser on Energy to the President, echoed his sentiment and highlighted the critical gap in domestic gas utilisation.
She noted that only 30% of Nigeria’s produced gas currently serves the local market.
The Authority Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed was represented by Executive Director Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, emphasised the regulator’s role in ensuring reliable gas supply, efficient infrastructure, and competitive pricing to drive industrialization and energy security.
Hon. Ahmed Aluko, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Gas, further reinforced legislative support and assured continued policy advancement to attract investments.
Industry associations, including the Nigerian Gas Association, Nigerian Liquefied and Compressed Gases Association, Association of Nigeria, united in their call for value chain coland Virtual Gas Infrastructure laboration to achieve scale and sustainability.
Mr. Ed Ubong, Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, lauded ALDG’s rapid institutional growth and the progress made in gas infrastructure development.
The ALDG Executive Secretary, Mr. Oga Adejo-Ogiri, underscored the forum’s central message of collaboration across government, industry, and society.
He maintained that the inaugural event establishes a strong foundation for ongoing dialogue and action to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic gas distribution network, positioning natural gas as a driver of economic growth and energy transition.
The Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) is the premier advocacy group for Nigeria’s gas distribution sector, committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions through policy engagement, capacity building, and industry collaboration.