By Akwang Umoetuk
The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a landmark partnership with the United Kingdom’s Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) to advance regulatory reforms and bolster investment in the nation’s gas sector.
The agreement was formalized during a high-level meeting in London between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, officials of Ofgem, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This collaboration aims to foster regulatory innovation, enhance capacity development, and promote domestic gas utilization. Key focus areas include regional energy integration, gas-to-power initiatives, and the expansion of infrastructure—particularly pipelines and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) networks.
Ekpo underscored the importance of building strong alliances between Nigerian stakeholders and UK-based firms to attract critical investments into Nigeria’s gas development and infrastructure.
“By fostering partnerships between Nigerian entities and UK-based firms, we can attract investments that will bolster our gas infrastructure, ensuring efficient delivery and utilization,” the Minister stated.
He also emphasized the need to incorporate renewable gases such as hydrogen into Nigeria’s energy mix, and called for knowledge-sharing with Ofgem on managing methane emissions and supporting decarbonization in upstream operations.
Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of NMDPRA, described the engagement as a timely intervention. “With Osprey Investments bridging the gap, we are tapping into global expertise to build a resilient, transparent, and investor-friendly midstream framework,” he said.
The Nigerian government, through the Ministry and NMDPRA, reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Ofgem to align Nigeria’s gas regulatory framework with international standards for sustainability and economic growth.
