The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has called for the urgent strengthening of gas distribution networks across the country, warning that Nigeria’s vast reserves are meaningless without the infrastructure to deliver them to end-users.
Speaking at the Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) Business Forum in Abuja, the Authority Chief Executive, Mr. Rabiu Umar, represented by Engr. Ayorinde Cardoso, noted that while Nigeria boasts over 209 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, the nation’s primary challenge has shifted from scarcity to accessibility.
Addressing the forum themed “From Gas Abundance to Gas Access: Reassessing Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Imperative,” Umar stressed that the national gas agenda must now focus on the reliable delivery of gas to industries, power plants, businesses, CNG stations, and households.
He revealed that the Federal Government is targeting a gas supply growth of 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027, and 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030. However, he cautioned that achieving these targets will require significant investment in last-mile distribution infrastructure, alongside major pipeline projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and OB3 pipelines.
The NMDPRA boss highlighted progress made under the Gas Distribution Licensing (GDL) framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. According to him, the Authority issued ten Gas Distribution Licences in 2025. The licensed zones are currently serving about 430 customers through over 535 kilometres of pipeline infrastructure, with a combined network capacity of 442 MMSCF/D.
He further disclosed that the Authority is advancing plans for the next phase of licences, particularly along the AKK Pipeline Corridor, to unlock new industrial clusters and deepen gas penetration across Northern Nigeria.
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While acknowledging the growing role of virtual distribution through Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trucking, Umar maintained that the long-term objective remains the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure, which he described as the most efficient and scalable model for nationwide gas utilisation.
Reaffirming the NMDPRA’s commitment to an investment-friendly regulatory environment, the ACE urged stakeholders to move from “reserve-based pride to utilisation-driven performance.”
“The success of Nigeria’s gas agenda will ultimately be measured by how effectively gas is delivered to productive use across the country,” Umar concluded.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X