INTERVIEW: NNPC Under Kyari Positioned Nigeria As A Global Energy Leader— Gas Minister, Ekpo
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, joined the Nigerian delegation backed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC) to advocate for energy access for the country and the continent at the recently concluded 2025 CERAWeek in Houston, Texas, USA.
In this interview with Ukpe Philip of THE WHISTLER, the minister for gas highlighted the role of the state-owned NNPCL under Engr. Mele Kyari to portray Nigeria’s image in a good light and as a global leader in the oil, gas and renewables energy landscape. Ekpo spoke on Nigeria’s role in the global energy transition and how the declaration of the Decade of Gas will play a crucial role in meeting the continent’s energy needs and providing energy security for Europe.
The gas minister also highlighted how President Donald Trump’s policy on hydrocarbon resources is a blessing for Nigeria.
Excerpts…
What were your expectations during the CERAWeek and your impression of the NNPC under Kyari?
First, I want to express my sincere thanks to NNPC for making it possible to be here and for always projecting a good image of our country, Nigeria, as a national oil company.
We had an engagement with a certain group of persons and we believe the outcome will be realizable soon. So, I want to believe that the expectations have been met, but we are waiting for the outcome after the initial engagement, which they (NNPC) need to follow up. Some meetings, like the meeting with the US Energy Secretary and Assistant Energy Secretary.
How will you react to the Trump administration’s policy on hydrocarbons and its impact on Nigeria?
What it means for Nigeria is that, though we have gas as a transition fuel, we can continue to drill taking into consideration the aspect of global warming. We need to do it responsibly to make sure we bring down carbon emissions.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has awarded companies contracts to convert the carbon that comes out of it to useful materials and of course to convert it to money that will be used in developing so many projects in the country. So, it is a good thing but let us be conscious that global warming is a reality.
Still on energy transition, can you speak to strategies that the government is adopting to speedily execute several gas projects that are currently in the pipeline?
In Nigeria, a lot has been done in compliance with the global energy transition. Like in Nigeria, gas is a transition fuel. Then, under the Decade of Gas, many projects have been identified to grow gas production and infrastructure development to ensure that we maintain low carbon emissions. Of course, Nigeria is committed to a low-carbon future.
So, under this, so many projects have been going on. Currently, we know that the president is very passionate about Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) which will bring about the reduction of carbon footprint- that is switching from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to CNG. This is one of the ways to bring down carbon emission and of course, in power generation, he has encouraged the utilization of gas in power generation, transportation and various homes.
Under the Decade of Gas Initiative, we will go around the states to distribute cylinders, encouraging people to switch from firewood to natural gas- that is Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This, in a way, tries to keep the environment sustainable. So, there is a lot that has happened and I appreciate the initiative of the president to undertake this.
On CNG, there are infrastructural challenges. A lot of people have converted and a lot more are converting but there are few stations to refill. How is the government planning to speedily fill the gap?
A lot has been done in that sector. Recently, we were in Kogi, Ajaokuta to lay the foundation of about five mini–Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). These are measures put in place to ensure that we have LNG that will be taken to the Northern part of the country for conversion into CNG so that the CNG gospel of Mr. President will go around the entire area.
Within Abuja, We have NNPC in conjunction with the private sector has opened mother stations and daughter stations and they have been doing that in so many other places. Under the Midstream & Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), six companies were awarded contracts. It is all about mother stations and daughter stations to spread the issue of CNG so that at the end of the end, we will have it in all the states of the federation.
Recently, we have approved another one though we have not released money for it. The federal government is intentional about the utilization of CNG to drive vehicles in our country. So, it is a work in progress.
Are there plans to subsidise conversion to CNG beyond commercial vehicles?
It is not just the issue of subsiding conversion. That has been done to commercial vehicles and of course, the federal government has donated 400 CNG busses to transporters but as private individuals, you will have to take care of your conversion. There is no subsidy for private individuals. You will look for a way to convert your vehicle to CNG, you are the one who will benefit from it.
Can you speak to crucial projects like the AKK and Trans Saharan Gas Pipeline, their delivery and how they will power the Decade of Gas?
On AKK, let me begin by appreciating the initiators because it is a game changer for our country whereby gas will be transported from the Southern to the Northern part of the country to drive the generation, industrialization, and clean cooking in the Northern part of the country. Of course, work is in progress and I have been given assurance that the project will be completed before the end of 2025.
It is a good one. On OB3, they have reached 97 per cent completion and just having a little issue within the River Niger which I believe that with the bringing in of new machines to try and solve the difficulties they were encountering, they will overcome it in the nearest future.
If you talk about the Trans Saharan Pipeline Project, that is between the NNPC and Morocco. Work has gone to advance stage and I believe that by next year, the issue of the Final Investment Decision (FID) will be taken care of. So, I am positive about what we are doing.
INTERVIEW: NNPC Under Kyari Positioned Nigeria As A Global Energy Leader— Gas Minister, Ekpo is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
