Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s gas distributors have called for urgent and coordinated action to expand domestic gas access, warning that the country can no longer afford to underutilise its vast natural gas reserves amid growing energy challenges.
The Association of Local Distributors of Gas made the appeal on Tuesday during its second Business Forum held in Abuja.
The forum, themed “From Gas Abundance to Gas Access: Reassessing Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Imperatives,” brought together government officials, regulators, investors, development finance institutions and industry operators.
Despite holding about 215 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, the largest in Africa, Nigeria continues to face inadequate distribution infrastructure and low domestic gas consumption.
Stakeholders called for long-term policy consistency and regulatory certainty to encourage private sector investment.
They also advocated accelerated development of pipelines, storage facilities and downstream distribution networks.
Chairman of the Association of Local Distributors of Gas, Kehinde Alabi, said Nigeria must move from discussions to implementation.
“Nigeria cannot afford to remain a footnote in its own gas story. We have the reserves, we have the policy frameworks, and increasingly we have the investor appetite. What we need now is ruthless execution from the wellhead to the household,” he said.
Alabi said the association remains committed to supporting gas distribution reforms.
Representing the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Director of Midstream and Downstream Gas Irene Ikenma said investors require greater certainty.
“The commercial fundamentals for gas distribution in Nigeria are compelling, but the investment will only flow at the scale we need when we have regulatory certainty and infrastructure that can underpin long-term returns,” she said.
Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Gas, Aluko Ahmed Yinka, reaffirmed legislative support for reforms.
“The National Assembly is fully aligned with the imperative to accelerate gas access for Nigerians,” he said.
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Oluwafunbi Bello