By Solomon OKPO
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has emerged as a key player in Nigeria’s unfolding gas revolution following the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria (GACN) and the announcement of a $3.5 billion Final Investment Decision (FID) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
Governor Umo Eno, represented by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, led the state’s delegation to the South-South Gas Utilization Forum, held at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, where the major announcements were made. He described the deal as “a strategic leap toward energy-led prosperity.”
The $3.5 billion investment, unveiled by NNPC’s Executive Vice President (Gas), Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, is set to finance several critical infrastructure projects, including an inter-county gas pipeline, offshore-to-land gas systems, a methanol and fertilizer plant, and a floating LNG facility—all intended to transform Akwa Ibom into Nigeria’s premier gas-powered industrial hub.
Governor Eno commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to gas development, praising the collaborative efforts of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, and other stakeholders for driving the Federal Government’s “Gas to Prosperity – Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“Akwa Ibom is committed to fostering a climate of investment and development, with strict adherence to environmental standards and a firm resolve to deliver real benefits to our host communities,” the Governor said.
The MoU, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, outlines a strategic framework to position Akwa Ibom as a national leader in gas development. It provides for the creation of the Akwa Ibom State Gas Master Plan (AKS-GMP), including comprehensive data mapping, infrastructure planning, and industrial demand forecasting.
It also supports the development of virtual pipeline systems—such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and LNG—for both domestic and industrial uses, aligning with Nigeria’s energy transition targets and the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative.
Speaking at the forum, Minister Ekpo described the summit as “a declaration of intent” and hailed Governor Eno’s vision as fully aligned with national policy goals. He emphasized the need for gas-rich states to move from being resource suppliers to value-adding industrial centers, with industries like petrochemicals, fertilizers, modular refineries, and CNG transport solutions taking center stage.
Highlighting the inclusive development provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the Minister reiterated that host communities must play an active role in the development process, not remain on the sidelines. He called for full implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), which mandates oil and gas firms to invest in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment in their areas of operation.
The summit, themed “Utilising Gas as a Catalyst for Sustainable Growth,” was convened by GACN and brought together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, investors, and host community stakeholders from across Nigeria’s South-South region.
With this strategic agreement and multi-billion-dollar commitment, Akwa Ibom is now positioned at the heart of Nigeria’s industrial energy future, ready to spearhead the transformation of gas from a raw resource to a driver of inclusive economic development.
