Seplat Energy Plc has urged stakeholders to invest in Nigeria's gas value chain to unlock the country's vast natural gas resources. The company's Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Effiong Okon, represented by Mr Okechukwu Mba, Director of Gas & New Energy at Seplat Energy, made the call at the Gas Investment Forum (GIF) 2026 in Lagos. Okon emphasized that Nigeria's 215 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves can only be realised through sustained investments in production, processing, transportation, and utilisation infrastructure.
Energy poverty remains a significant challenge in Africa, with approximately 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lacking access to electricity. Okon noted that gas reserves alone do not power homes or factories, but create value when produced and reliably delivered to consumers. He stressed the need to convert Nigeria's vast gas endowment into tangible economic growth, industrial development, and energy access for millions of people.
Okon commended the Federal Government's efforts to improve investment conditions in the gas sector, particularly initiatives addressing legacy debts in the gas-to-power value chain. He welcomed recent final investment decisions on major energy projects and the commencement of operations on the OB3 gas pipeline, a significant milestone for Nigeria's gas industry. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has also created a more transparent and investor-friendly environment for gas investments.
Institutions such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) are strengthening regulatory certainty and closing infrastructure gaps in the sector. Okon highlighted Nigeria's strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea, giving the country a unique advantage in serving regional and international gas markets, including Europe.
Seplat has made significant investments in gas infrastructure over the past decade, including the 375 MMscfd Oben Gas Plant, the 90 MMscfd Sapele Gas Plant, and the 300 MMscfd ANOH Gas Plant. These investments reinforce the company's position as one of Nigeria's leading domestic gas suppliers. Seplat currently supplies gas directly to six power stations and supports numerous industrial customers through gas distribution networks.
Through the ANOH Gas Plant, Seplat supplies gas to fertilizer manufacturers, contributing to Nigeria's food security objectives. The company's acquisition of ExxonMobil's onshore and offshore assets has increased domestic supplies of butane and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Ongoing investments in compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure are expanding access to cleaner, more affordable energy for consumers not connected to pipeline networks.
Okon reaffirmed Seplat's commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that the company successfully ended routine flaring across its onshore operations at the end of 2025, reducing operational emissions intensity. He called on stakeholders to work together to unlock projects capable of converting "gas molecules into electrons" to power Nigeria's industrial future. The Gas Investment Forum provides a platform for policymakers, regulators, investors, and industry leaders to explore opportunities for accelerating gas development and strengthening Nigeria's position in regional and global energy markets.
Key points
- Seplat Energy Plc seeks increased investment in Nigeria's gas value chain to unlock vast natural gas resources and drive industrialisation.
- Nigeria possesses over 215 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, but sustained investments are needed to realise their value.
- Seplat has made significant investments in gas infrastructure, including the Oben Gas Plant, Sapele Gas Plant, and ANOH Gas Plant.
