Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has taken a bold step toward positioning the state as Nigeria’s foremost gas-based industrial hub and energy investment destination.
This follows the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria (GACN), alongside the announcement of a $3.5 billion Final Investment Decision (FID) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Monday, July 14, 2025.
Governor Eno, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, led the state’s delegation to the ongoing South-South Gas Utilization Forum, taking place at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo. He described the MoU and investment package as “a strategic leap toward energy-led prosperity.”
The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to gas development in Nigeria and also expressed appreciation to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, along with industry leaders, stakeholders, and participants, for their dedication in translating the President’s vision into action.
The state chief executive emphasised that the summit would renew collective resolve to harness gas for industrialisation, domestic energy use, economic growth, and inclusive development.
“Akwa Ibom is committed to creating an enabling environment for investment, ensuring adherence to environmental standards, and delivering tangible benefits to our host communities,” the Governor stated.
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Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo praised Governor Eno’s leadership and described the summit as a milestone in Akwa Ibom’s journey toward becoming an energy and industrial powerhouse.
“This is more than a meeting—it is a declaration of intent and a roadmap to gas-based prosperity,” Minister Ekpo said, adding “Governor Eno’s vision aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Gas to Prosperity – Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The Minister noted that although the South-South remains the heart of Nigeria’s gas production, the region must now evolve from a resource base to a centre of value addition, innovation, and inclusive growth. He emphasised the need to develop industries such as petrochemicals, fertilisers, modular refineries, and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered transport systems.
Underscoring the importance of inclusive development, the Minister highlighted the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021—particularly the establishment of the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), which mandates oil and gas companies to contribute three percent of their annual operational expenditure toward the development of host communities in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment.
“This is in line with our call for communities to be co-owners, not just spectators, in the energy development process,” he added.
Providing details on the investment, NNPC’s Executive Vice President (Gas), Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, stated that the $3.5 billion commitment will support the development of vital gas infrastructure projects. These include an inter-county gas pipeline, offshore-to-land gas delivery systems, a methanol plant, a fertiliser plant, and a floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility.
The MoU signed between the Akwa Ibom State Government represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah and the Hon Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom SAN and GACN establishes a strategic framework to promote the state as a natural gas development and industrial investment destination. It also provides for the development of a robust Akwa Ibom State Gas Master Plan (AKS-GMP), with a focus on data mapping, infrastructure planning, and demand forecasting.
In addition, the MoU commits both parties to promoting domestic gas-based industries through transparent and commercially viable access to the gas supply. It also supports the development of virtual pipeline solutions—such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and LNG—for industrial and domestic use. The agreement further aligns with national goals on energy transition and decarbonization under the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative and climate change agenda.
The summit, themed “Utilising Gas as a Catalyst for Sustainable Growth,” was convened by GACN and brought together high-level stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, investors, and host community representatives from across the South-South region.
With the MoU in place and NNPC’s $3.5 billion investment commitment secured, Akwa Ibom State is now firmly positioned as a frontline player in Nigeria’s gas revolution and a key driver of the Federal Government’s Gas to Prosperity agenda.
