Nigeria recorded over $5 billion in new gas investments last year, according to the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA).

This is just as the NGA also announced the country’s strategic participation at the 29th World Gas Conference (WGC2025) scheduled to take place in Beijing, China, from May 19 to 23, 2025.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos, NGA President Mr Akachukwu Nwokedi, said the investments covered infrastructure development, floating LNG, gas processing and domestic gas utilisation.

He added that Nigeria will host a Nigerian Pavilion at the global conference, organised by the International Gas Union (IGU), to showcase the country’s gas sector growth and attract further investment.

“This platform is not just symbolic. It is strategic. It signals Nigeria’s readiness to take its rightful place in the global gas ecosystem, not just as a resource-rich nation but as a serious investment destination,” Nwokedi said.

According to him, the pavilion will bring together government representatives, private sector stakeholders, and international partners to spotlight major gas projects and promote Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” initiative. It will also provide a space for high-level engagement on energy transition, sustainability and financing.

The NGA stated that the Pavilion will be used to promote opportunities across Nigeria’s gas value chain and support foreign partnerships in areas such as infrastructure development, technology transfer and off-take agreements.

“This is not just about gas. It is about jobs, industry, cleaner energy and national transformation,” Nwokedi said, adding that “Nigeria is ready. NGA is ready. WGC2025 is our global stage.”

He also cited recent policy reforms by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, including new executive orders on oil and gas, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) pipeline, and a decentralized gas distribution framework aimed at expanding energy access.

The NGA commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for implementing a revised domestic gas pricing structure and supporting gas commercialisation.

Nigeria currently holds 209 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and an estimated potential of up to 600 trillion cubic feet, according to the NGA. The association said gas remains central to Nigeria’s ongoing energy transition strategy.

“We must insist the transition works for us,” Nwokedi said. “Gas remains our best bet to tackle energy poverty while lowering emissions.”

Meanwhile, Former minister of power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, has made a case for Nigeria to aggressively pursue investments in its natural gas sector and reinstate previously suspended Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

Delivering a lecture titled: “Architecting the Energy Sector for Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Economy Vision,” Nnaji emphasised that these actions are crucial for the nation to achieve its ambitious goal of a $1 trillion economy.

Nnaji, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power Group, pointed out Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves, ranking ninth globally, and the paradox of the nation’s struggle to adequately power its 24 gas-fired power plants.

“While efforts to export gas to Europe are commendable, domestic need must come first—because charity begins at home,” he said.