The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Akwa Ibom State Government, and the Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria Ltd/GTE (GACN) have signed a $3.5 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote gas industrialisation in Akwa Ibom State.
The agreement was formalised on Monday during the opening session of the South-South Gas Utilisation Forum 2025, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The forum was attended by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as well as representatives of the Governors of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers States.
The NNPC Ltd. delegation was led by its Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia—who also chairs the GACN Board—and the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power, and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye.
GACN Managing Director, Chijioke Uzoho, who convened the forum, said the event was designed to bring together key regional stakeholders to accelerate economic development through gas utilisation.
In a statement issued Tuesday, NNPCL described the MoU as a major step towards deepening gas industrialisation in the South-South, reflecting the zone’s commitment to achieving shared prosperity through energy development.
The forum also featured GACN’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) Dinner and Cultural Night, where Minister Ekpo reaffirmed the role of gas as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth.
Speaking on behalf of Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, the Commissioner for Economic Development, Emem Bob, reiterated the state’s dedication to leveraging gas resources for long-term development.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the partnership, Udy Ntia stated, “NNPC Ltd. remains committed to forging strong partnerships to drive gas utilisation as a key pillar in Nigeria’s economic diversification and energy security agenda.”
Also present at the forum were NNPC Ltd.’s Executive Vice President, Gas, Power, and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, and GACN Managing Director, Chijioke Uzoho.
