The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has stated that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has significantly improved transparency, enhanced investor confidence, and strengthened regulatory institutions since its enactment over four years ago.
Ekpo spoke on Thursday at the maiden edition of the Annual Conference of the Energy Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN), journalists covering the oil and gas industry, held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with the theme, “Four Years of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA): Achievements, Gaps and the Way Ahead.”
Represented by the Director Gas, of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Audu-Nunghe Ruth, the Gas Minister said the PIA remains the landmark legislation that has redefined the governance, fiscal, and operational frameworks of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Despite the progress so far made with the PIA, Ekpo said there are gaps that require collective efforts to address, particularly in the areas of cultural and community development, energy transition, and sustainable implementation of some of the provisions of the Act.
According to him, the gathering of media professionals, policymakers, and industry stakeholders is both timely and commendable as it provides an essential platform to reflect on the progress made since the enactment of the Industrial Act.
“As we deliberate on the achievements, identifying challenges, and charting forward looking roadmaps for Nigeria for its consistent education within the energy sector. Your role in bridging communication between the industry, government, and the public are not over-emphasized.
“I urge all participants, therefore, to use this conference as an opportunity to generate actionable insights that will further advance the objectives of the PIA and contribute to Nigeria’s broader energy security and economic growth,” Ekpo said.
He expressed confidence that the outcomes of the deliberations would provide valuable recommendations for policymakers and industry players alike.
Speaking in his Keynote Address, the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, said since the passage of the PIA, the Commission has made significant progress in establishing a strong regulatory framework, enhancing operational efficiency, and promoting transparency within the sector.
“Through sustained efforts, the Authority has worked to create an enabling environment that balances investment growth, consumer protection, and environmental sustainability.
“Over the past four years, the Authority has implemented a series of reforms and initiatives aimed at strengthening industry compliance, improving service delivery, and fostering stakeholder collaboration,” he added.
These efforts, according to him, have led to improved monitoring mechanisms, data-driven decision-making, and the adoption of innovative technologies to support regulatory effectiveness.
“We have also implemented strategies that have underscored our commitment to aligning regulatory oversight activities with national energy objectives and global best practices,” he added.
Specifically, the ACE, who was represented at the event by the Authority’s Legal Adviser and Secretary, Dr. Joseph Tolorunse, said the NMDPRA has achieved the following:
“successfully gazetted 18 regulations and developed guidelines and standard operating procedures for implementation in the sector.
“Embarked on aggressive automation of processes to enhance service delivery and promote the ease of doing business.
“Crude supply to domestic refineries rose from about 20,000bpd in 2023 to above 40,000bpd in 2025. This is enabled by NMDPRA’s implementation of 2021 PIA provisions.
“Refined product supplies from local refineries to the domestic market have experienced drastic improvement. For example, PMS supply grew from 1.3 billion litres in 2024 to 3.8 billion litres in 2025, and the outlook is positive.
“The Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) has Invested over N287 billion in various gas infrastructure projects with 16 companies across 62 projects as ofOctober 2025.
“The MDGIF catalysed an additional $500 million investment to Gas infrastructure by leveraging on AFRIEXIM Bank MOU to expand energy access to drive economic development.
“UTM Offshore, NLNG train 7, AKK gas pipeline, OB3 gas pipeline, AIPCC refinery, Indorama fertilizer plant and Greenville’s LNG & LCNG projects, Walthersmith Refinery Train 2, Supertech’s Methanol Project are some of the key midstream and downstream facility development projects that brought significant investments into the sub-sector.
“Also, 10 Gas distribution Licenses were issued for 10 gas distribution zones covering a pipeline network stretch of 692km, with carrying capacity of 712MMscf/day, connecting a total of 412 customers. Total investment value in this distribution system was estimated at $639.07 million with multiplier effect across energy, agriculture, industry, manufacturing and socio-economic impacts.
“23 refineries ‘License To Establish’ were issued from 2021 to date which when constructed and commissioned will add over 850,000bpsd refining capacity to the existing 1,125,000bpsd capacity.
“The NMDPRA developed Gas Trading and Settlement Regulations in 2023, which applies to activities connected to the establishment of secure, reliable and efficient trading and settlement systems for natural gas and other gas commodities on exchange platforms regulated by the Authority. This led to the Award of License to Establish and Operate the first ever Gas Trading Exchange in Nigeria in May 2025 to Jex Market Limited.
“Through efficient and prudent regulation, the Authority facilitated a steady supply of petroleum products in the country with product sufficiency within an average of 12 to 48 days, thereby eliminating fuel shortages and thereby catalyzing economic activities across Nigeria.”
Earlier, in his Welcome Address, the Chairman, ECAN, Mr. John Ofikhenua, said the passage of the Act was no accident. Adding that it was a triumph of persistence — a product of the vision and hard work of men and women like the late Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, and many others who laboured behind the scenes from the days of the Oil and Gas Sector Reform Implementation Committee.
Mr Ofikhenua, said the PIA brought structure, transparency, and renewed confidence to the oil and gas industry.
“We now see a clearer separation of roles, stronger institutions, and a more defined sense of accountability. The grievances from host communities have reduced, and there is a greater sense of belonging and participation,” he added.
While acknowledging that a lot has changed in the industry, the ECAN Chairman said there is still more work to be done. Noting that “the PIA is not a finished product; it is a living document. As technology evolves, as global energy dynamics shift, and as the world races towards cleaner and smarter energy solutions, we too must evolve.”
According to him, the conference is not just about taking stock, but about envisioning the future.
“It is about refining the law to meet new realities, and ensuring that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains competitive, transparent, and sustainable in the years ahead,” he added.
