Nigeria has formed a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom’s Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) to strengthen its gas sector regulatory framework. This collaboration was established during a high-level meeting in London between Nigeria’s Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and officials from Ofgem and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
The partnership aims to enhance regulatory innovation and capacity development in Nigeria’s gas sector, focusing on domestic utilization, regional energy integration, and gas-to-power projects. It will also support the expansion of infrastructure through targeted investment, including pipelines and Compressed Natural Gas networks.
During the meeting, Ekpo emphasized the need for strong collaboration between Nigerian and UK-based firms to boost investment in gas development. “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,” he said.
The Gas Minister also highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to reducing methane emissions and promoting decarbonization in upstream operations, seeking Ofgem’s experience in overseeing emissions management. “Let us continue to forge pathways that lead to a more prosperous and energy-secure future,” Ekpo added.
The Federal Government is particularly interested in drawing insights from Ofgem’s practices in promoting investor confidence and consumer protection, and developing regulatory frameworks that support the integration of renewable gases, such as hydrogen, into Nigeria’s energy mix.
Source: Vanguard Ngr
