Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has urged the global community to adopt a pragmatic approach to energy transition one that balances environmental goals with economic realities in emerging markets.
Speaking during the Ministerial Panel at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2025), themed “Global Shifts: Navigating an Era of Diverging Priorities”, Ekpo emphasized that developing economies like Nigeria face the dual challenge of expanding energy access while meeting net-zero commitments.
“We cannot decarbonise to poverty,” the Minister declared, stressing that energy policies must reflect the needs of nations still grappling with energy deficits and development gaps.
Ekpo highlighted that while advanced economies have made significant strides in decarbonisation, Africa’s energy poverty remains a critical concern, with over 600 million people lacking reliable access to electricity.
“A just transition must recognise the realities of nations that are still industrialising,” he said. “For Nigeria, gas is not a transition fuel it is a destination fuel for sustainable growth and cleaner development.”
He called for global collaboration and policy alignment to enable countries like Nigeria to leverage their abundant gas resources while contributing meaningfully to climate objectives.
The Minister noted that Nigeria’s government has made significant strides under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to position gas as the backbone of its industrial and power generation plans. Through initiatives such as the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative and expansion of gas infrastructure including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline the country is laying the groundwork for energy sustainability.
Ekpo further emphasized that regulatory frameworks must evolve to attract the scale of financing needed to build regional gas value chains, promote innovation, and enhance local participation.
“To attract capital, we must balance investor confidence with fair regulation. Investment flows should align with national priorities, not distort them,” he said.
The Minister also called on international financial institutions and private investors to support gas-based development projects in Africa, describing gas as the most realistic pathway for balancing environmental protection and economic inclusion.
“If we want to talk about equity, we must ensure that Africa is not left behind in the global transition. Gas is Africa’s bridge fuel and with the right partnerships, it can drive prosperity and energy stability,” Ekpo concluded.
ADIPEC, hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), is one of the world’s largest and most influential energy conferences, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to shape the future of global energy.
The 2025 edition, themed “Energy. Intelligence. Impact.”, focuses on addressing the world’s growing energy needs amid global economic shifts and the evolving climate agenda.
