Sopuruchi Onwuka

Investor group in the domestic gas distribution business, the Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG), has called on government to evolve regulatory instruments that would guarantee greater market incentives for players in the domestic gas supply.

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The ALDG which held its inaugural Business Forum in Abuja weekend emphasised the need for strong collaboration among players in the gas industry in order to strengthen Nigeria’s gas distribution value chain.

Chairman of ALDG, Mr Kehinde Alabi, who is also the Managing Director of Axxela Gas Distribution, emphasised the urgent need to unlock Nigeria’s gas potential through infrastructure development, regulatory clarity, and market-driven pricing.

“The question is no longer if gas matters, but how we unlock its full potential”, he declared.

The Oracle Today reports that ALDG hosted policy drivers and commercial players in the Business Forum held at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Tower in Abuja. The event marked a significant milestone in promoting activities in the downstream natural gas distribution value chain by successfully

Key stakeholders from Nigeria’s gas distribution sector who attended the event called for a deeper collaboration to unlock Nigeria’s gas capabilities. They reiterated the need for the industry to prioritise partnerships to collectively focus on enhancing infrastructure, improving the regulatory environment, and promoting commercially viable developments.

The event was centred on the theme “Strengthening Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Value Chain: Challenges, Innovations, and the Path Forward.” 

Sponsors include Axxela, Shell Nigeria Gas, Falcon Corporation Limited, Tetracore Energy Group, Powergas Nigeria, Entec Power and Utilities Company Limited, GasHub Nigeria Limited, Gascomarine Limited, Junaid Energy Limited, Highland LNG, A4E Energy Limited, Petroleum Technology Development Fund and Layer3.

The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, represented at the event by his Technical Adviser (Downstream) Dr Abel Igheghe, strongly reaffirmed the government’s commitment to gas development.

He praised local distributors’ contributions to job creation and energy access while pledging continued policy support. This sentiment was echoed by Mrs Olu Arowolo Verheijen, Special Adviser on Energy to the President, who highlighted the critical gap in domestic gas utilisation, noting that only 30% of Nigeria’s produced gas currently serves the local market. 

The Authority Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed was represented by Executive Director Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, emphasised the regulator’s role in ensuring reliable gas supply, efficient infrastructure, and competitive pricing to drive industrialisation and energy security. Hon. Ahmed Aluko, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Gas, further reinforced legislative support and assured continued policy advancement to attract investments. 

Industry associations, including the Nigerian Gas Association, Nigerian Liquefied and Compressed Gases Association, and Virtual Gas Infrastructure Association of Nigeria, united in their call for value chain collaboration to achieve scale and sustainability. Mr. Ed Ubong, Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, commended ALDG’s rapid institutional growth and the progress made in gas infrastructure development. 

The ALDG Executive Secretary, Mr. Oga Adejo-Ogiri, underscored the forum’s central message of collaboration across government, industry, and society. This inaugural event establishes a strong foundation for ongoing dialogue and action to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic gas distribution network, positioning natural gas as a driver of economic growth and energy transition. 

The Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) is the premier advocacy group for Nigeria’s gas distribution sector, committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions through policy engagement, capacity building, and industry collaboration