Stakeholders from across Nigeria’s energy ecosystem converged at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, July 24, 2025, for the 4th Oriental News Nigeria National Conference. With the theme “Integrating Nigeria’s Gas Potentials Into Strategic Energy Transition Initiatives,” the high-level gathering examined how natural gas can drive sustainable energy growth and accelerate Nigeria’s shift from fossil fuels to cleaner, more efficient alternatives.
Organized by Oriental News Nigeria, the annual conference brought together top policymakers, energy executives, regulators, and analysts to address key issues around gas production, distribution, policy, and infrastructure. The discussions took on added urgency amid Nigeria’s rising energy demand, the global energy transition push, and the federal government’s current reforms aimed at repositioning the gas sector.
Gas: Nigeria’s Strategic Transition Fuel
In her welcome address, Mrs. Yemisi Izuora, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Oriental News Nigeria, underscored the significance of natural gas as a critical enabler of energy access, industrial development, and climate action.
“The journey to Nigeria’s energy future must be led by pragmatic and scalable solutions, and gas stands at the center of that conversation,” she said.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), who emphasized gas as a transitional bridge between traditional fossil fuels and cleaner energy systems. According to him, Nigeria must maximize the benefits of its vast gas reserves to meet domestic demand and fulfill international obligations.
“The time to act is now. We must treat gas not as a fallback, but as a springboard for national development,” Dr. Mshelbila stated.
Stakeholders Dissect Policy Frameworks, Infrastructure Gaps
The conference featured high-level panels addressing major sub-themes including regulatory reforms, infrastructure investment, and the future of gas in transportation and power generation.
Chaired by Prof. Barth Nnaji, former Minister of Power and Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, the event provided a critical review of existing gas policies such as the National Gas Policy (2017), the Gas Master Plan (2008), and the Decade of Gas Initiative (2021).
While acknowledging recent progress under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, stakeholders noted that implementation remains slow. Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) highlighted the challenges of attracting investments due to infrastructure deficits, pricing issues, and regulatory uncertainty.
Other key speakers, including Engr. Chichi Emenike, Acting MD of Neconde Energy, and Mr. Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), echoed the need for coordinated government action to unlock the sector’s full value chain.
Transportation Sector in the Spotlight
One of the most pressing conversations centered on the transport sector, which remains the largest consumer of fossil fuels and a major source of carbon emissions. With an estimated 11 million vehicles on Nigerian roads, experts agreed that the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cleaner alternative is critical.
Billy Gills-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), called for swift implementation of the Presidential CNG Initiative, noting that a functional CNG framework could reduce transportation costs and support broader decarbonization efforts.
“CNG adoption is not just an energy issue—it’s an economic necessity,” he said.
Discussions also revealed that road transport contributes significantly to national CO₂ emissions and remains heavily dependent on petrol and diesel, with little transition toward cleaner fuels. Experts stressed that without immediate intervention, the country’s carbon footprint will continue to grow.
Bridging Energy and Insurance Sectors
In an innovative panel session, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance, addressed the critical need for the insurance sector to align more closely with energy development. He advocated for localized underwriting and enhanced risk management strategies to support infrastructure projects in oil and gas.
“To de-risk the gas sector, we must build synergy between insurers and energy players. It’s time we develop the local capacity needed to insure high-value energy assets,” Omosehin stated.
Human and Environmental Impact
Representing the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar shed light on the human angle of energy poverty. She called attention to the millions of Nigerians living without access to reliable electricity and the cascading effect on health, safety, and rural development.
“Energy access is a human right. Our policies must reflect that reality by focusing not only on megawatts, but on people,” she noted.
Sub-Themes and Panel Highlights
Panelists discussed four major sub-themes critical to the success of Nigeria’s energy transition:
- Adaptation of Renewable Energy and Gas Strategies in Power Generation
- Evaluation of the Decade of Gas and Broad-Spectrum Gas Utilization Plans
- CNG and LPG Strategies for Climate Action in Transport
- Local Content Development in Insurance for Oil & Gas Sectors
Each session provided actionable insights and emphasized the need for urgent reform and collaboration across industries.
A Clear Roadmap for Action
As the conference concluded, participants agreed that the country must act with clarity and urgency to unlock the full value of its gas resources. The challenges—regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure gaps, and poor investment flow—are real, but so are the opportunities.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Izuora stressed that Oriental News Nigeria would continue to champion policy discourse, sectoral accountability, and stakeholder engagement.
“Nigeria cannot afford to miss this moment. With vision and will, gas can power not only our homes and industries, but also our progress as a nation,” she said.
The 2025 edition of the Oriental News Nigeria National Conference not only set a new benchmark in policy dialogue, it reaffirmed the role of gas as a cornerstone in Nigeria’s quest for energy security, industrial development, and environmental sustainability.
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