… Gas Production Hits 7.5 bcfd as Digital Reforms Strengthen Investor Confidence in 2025
Destiny Young | December 31, 2025
The Federal Government and the Akwa Ibom State Government are jointly exploring investment options to reposition the Ibom Power Company, following concerns raised about the facility during the 2025 end of year media briefing of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Addressing the issue at the briefing held at his country home in Ika Local Government Area, the Minister confirmed that discussions were ongoing with a prospective foreign investor interested in enhancing the operational capacity of the power plant. He explained that two out of the three gas turbines installed at Ibom Power are currently faulty and not operational. According to him, the interested investor has indicated readiness to rehabilitate the turbines and restore optimal performance, although the scale of the investment requires careful technical evaluation, regulatory approvals, and financial structuring.
Dr Ekpo stated that both the Federal Government and the Akwa Ibom State Government, under the leadership of Governor Umo Eno, PhD, are actively engaging to ensure that any investment decision aligns with national energy objectives and delivers sustainable benefits to the state and the wider economy.
The clarification on Ibom Power formed part of a broader presentation in which the Minister outlined the significant milestones recorded in Nigeria’s gas sector in 2025, describing the year as one of strategic progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas production grew from 6.8 billion standard cubic feet per day in 2023 to 7.5 billion standard cubic feet per day in 2025, while domestic gas supply exceeded two billion standard cubic feet per day for the first time. This improvement, he noted, strengthened power generation, supported industrial activity, and expanded access to cleaner household energy, while gas export volumes were restored to 2021 levels, improving foreign exchange earnings.
The Minister highlighted key reforms aimed at improving transparency and investor confidence in the sector, including the launch of Nigeria’s Digital Gas Trading Platform and enhanced coordination among government institutions, regulators, NNPC Limited, and private sector stakeholders. These reforms, he said, helped reposition the gas market as rules driven and commercially viable.
On investment mobilisation, Dr Ekpo disclosed that three major Final Investment Decisions were supported in 2025, unlocking over two billion dollars in new gas investments and advancing Nigeria’s long-term target of attracting 30 billion dollars in gas investments by 2030.
He also outlined major interventions in the gas to power segment, including Presidential approval for the settlement of 185 billion naira in legacy gas debts, a development that improved gas availability to power plants and contributed to enhanced electricity generation and grid stability nationwide.
Further progress was recorded in domestic gas pricing, with the reduction of the Domestic Gas Base Price from 2.42 dollars per MMBtu to 2.13 dollars per MMBtu, a move designed to balance affordability for consumers with sustainability for investors.
In the area of clean cooking and LPG expansion, the Minister said a ministerial directive was issued to boost domestic LPG production, alongside pilot programmes to redirect LPG exports to the domestic market. He added that the LPG Grassroots Penetration Programme was completed across six geopolitical zones, laying the foundation for the planned One Million Homes per Year Clean Cooking Programme scheduled to commence in 2026.
On infrastructure development, Dr Ekpo disclosed that approval was secured for the full operation of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, with commitments of 287 billion naira to more than 20 critical projects. Over half of the funds, including 122 billion naira, have already been disbursed to private sector investors. Strategic pipeline projects were also advanced, including key works on the Ajaokuta Kaduna Kano gas pipeline, which remains on track for completion in 2026.
He further noted that more than 50 gas utilisation projects were identified and unlocked during the year, with projections of up to four million direct and indirect jobs by 2030. Strategic industrial projects, including the Brass Fertiliser Project, were also advanced to support agriculture, manufacturing, and economic diversification.
On the international front, the Minister announced that Nigeria secured the Presidency of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum Ministerial Meeting for 2026, alongside Executive Board representation and the appointment of a Nigerian, Dr Philip Mshelbila, as Secretary General. He said these developments strengthened Nigeria’s global standing as a credible gas investment destination.
Dr Ekpo also highlighted specific achievements in Akwa Ibom State, including the groundbreaking of a 10 million standard cubic feet per day compressed natural gas mother station in Esit Eket Local Government Area and the signing of a 3.5-billion-dollar gas infrastructure and industrialisation memorandum of understanding at the South South Gas Utilisation Forum held in Uyo.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to consolidating the gains recorded in 2025, stressing that the repositioning of assets such as Ibom Power remains central to the broader objective of using natural gas to drive industrialisation, economic growth, and Nigeria’s energy transition.
