Akwa Ibom State is set to become a major player in Nigeria’s gas revolution following the signing of a landmark $3.5 billion gas development agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and the Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria (GACN). The agreement, formalized at the South-South Gas Utilization Forum in Uyo, aims to accelerate domestic gas development, industrialization, and energy-led economic growth in line with the Federal Government’s “Decade of Gas” initiative.

Governor Umo Eno, represented by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, described the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as “a strategic leap toward energy-led prosperity”. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to developing Nigeria’s gas industry, adding that Akwa Ibom is fully committed to creating an investor-friendly environment, adhering to environmental standards, and ensuring host communities benefit from the deal.


Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, lauded the agreement as a milestone in Akwa Ibom’s journey toward becoming an energy and industrial powerhouse. According to him, the South-South region must evolve from being merely a resource base to a center of value addition through industries such as petrochemicals, fertilizers, modular refineries, and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered transport systems.

“This is more than an agreement; it is a declaration of intent and a roadmap to gas-based prosperity,” Ekpo said, linking the deal to President Tinubu’s “Gas to Prosperity – Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Minister also emphasized inclusive development through the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which mandates oil and gas companies to contribute three per cent of their annual operating expenditure to the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT). This provision is expected to fund education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment projects in host communities.

Providing insight into the deal, NNPC’s Executive Vice President (Gas), Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, disclosed that the $3.5 billion investment would fund key infrastructure, including:

An inter-county gas pipeline network to connect major industrial hubs.

Offshore-to-land gas delivery systems to boost domestic supply.

A methanol and fertilizer plant to drive agro-industrial growth.

A floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility to expand export capacity.


Ogunleye said the infrastructure would not only support domestic industrialization but also strengthen Nigeria’s export potential, positioning Akwa Ibom as a critical hub in the country’s gas value chain.


The MoU, signed by Akwa Ibom’s Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom (SAN), also includes the development of the Akwa Ibom State Gas Master Plan (AKS-GMP). The plan will focus on data mapping, infrastructure planning, and demand forecasting to ensure efficient gas distribution and industrial growth.

Additionally, the agreement promotes virtual pipeline solutions such as CNG, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and LNG for both industrial and domestic use, supporting the Federal Government’s energy transition and decarbonization goals.


The South-South Gas Utilization Forum, themed “Utilising Gas as a Catalyst for Sustainable Growth,” brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, and host community representatives to discuss strategies for boosting gas utilization across Nigeria.

With this MoU and NNPC’s $3.5 billion investment, Akwa Ibom is set to become a frontline player in Nigeria’s gas revolution, boosting economic diversification, creating jobs, and driving the Federal Government’s vision of gas-led industrialization.