Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority

NMDPRA Calls for Stronger Gas Distribution Networks to Drive Domestic Utilisation

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has emphasized the need to strengthen gas distribution infrastructure across the country to translate Nigeria’s vast gas reserves into meaningful economic and industrial growth.

Speaking at the Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) Business Forum in Abuja, the Authority Chief Executive, Mr. Rabiu Umar, represented by the Acting Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Engr. Ayorinde Cardoso said that while Nigeria possesses over 209 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, the country’s major challenge is no longer gas abundance but gas accessibility.

Addressing participants at the forum themed “From Gas Abundance to Gas Access: Reassessing Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Imperative,” Umar noted that the nation’s gas agenda must focus on ensuring reliable delivery of gas to industries, power plants, businesses, CNG stations and households.

He disclosed that the Federal Government is targeting gas supply growth to 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, stressing that achieving these targets will require significant investment in last-mile gas distribution infrastructure alongside major pipeline projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and OB3 pipelines.

The ACE highlighted the progress made under the Gas Distribution Licensing (GDL) framework established pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. According to him, the Authority issued ten Gas Distribution Licences in 2025, with the licensed zones currently serving about 430 customers through over 535 kilometres of pipeline infrastructure and a combined network capacity of 442 MMSCF/D.

He further revealed that the Authority is advancing plans for the next phase of Gas Distribution Licences, particularly along the AKK Pipeline Corridor, to unlock new industrial clusters and deepen domestic gas pe*******on across Northern Nigeria.

While acknowledging the growing role of virtual gas distribution through Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trucking, Umar maintained that the long-term objective remains the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure as the most efficient and scalable model for nationwide gas utilisation.

He reaffirmed NMDPRA’s commitment to fostering an investment-friendly regulatory environment that supports infrastructure expansion, supply reliability and market growth across the gas value chain.

The ACE urged stakeholders to move from “reserve-based pride to utilisation-driven performance,” stressing that the success of Nigeria’s gas agenda will ultimately be measured by how effectively gas is delivered to productive use across the country.

The Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) paid a courtesy visit to the Authority, where discussions centered on the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s gas sector.

During the visit, the Association commended the Authority for its regulatory efforts in advancing gas utilisation across the country and reiterated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative.

The delegation also highlighted key challenges facing gas distributors and sought continued collaboration with the Authority to enhance gas availability, affordability, and accessibility nationwide.

In his remarks, the Authority Chief Executive Malam Rabiu A Umar appreciated the visit and assured the Association of NMDPRA’s commitment to fostering a conducive regulatory environment that promotes investment, operational efficiency, and the expansion of gas infrastructure across the country.

The meeting underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement and partnership in driving the growth of Nigeria’s gas industry and achieving national energy security objectives.

Authority Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu Umar holds strategic meeting with NIPCO Gas Management on matters arising in the Gas Sector.

The Authority Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu A. Umar recently paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf during the just concluded Eid Mubarak Salah celebrations in Government House Kano. The occasion also presented an opportunity for both leaders to express their commitment to the continued push for collaboration in areas of mutual interest, and to seek for ways to support their respective push for national growth, development and prosperity for the overall good of the nation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday commissioned a High Capacity Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Daughter Booster Station in Jahi, Abuja, describing the project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s transition to cleaner, more affordable, and sustainable energy.

Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the President said the facility aligns with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative aimed at driving industrialisation, energy security, and economic diversification.

The station, developed by Rolling Energy Limited in partnership with the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), a Directorate under the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, is one of four MDGIF-backed investment projects being commissioned today across the country.

The other projects are being executed by IBILE Oil and Gas and Portland Energy in Ojota, Lagos, as well as FEMADEC Energy at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

In his remarks, the Authority Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu Umar, represented by the Abuja Regional Coordinator of the NMDPRA, Hajiya Maijidda Abdulkadir, said the Authority remains committed to ensuring effective regulation, safety, and compliance in the nation’s growing gas sector.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of MDGIF, Mr Oluwole Adama, who was represented by the Fund’s Director of Project Management, Dr Hussaini Basaka, said the Fund remains committed to supporting projects that drive energy access, economic growth, and national development.

Also, the Chairman, Rolling Energy Limited, Mr Mubarak Umar Dambata, said the CNG Station has a sales capacity of 1,000 Standard Cubic Metres (SCM) per hour and can serve over 1,000 CNG vehicles and 100 trucks daily thereby significantly improving gas supply and distribution in Abuja and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, said the project reflects the Tinubu administration’s long-term vision of reducing dependence on costly conventional fuels through the adoption of cleaner and more sustainable alternatives.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr Sunday Dare, said the Federal Government had commissioned 25 projects nationwide to commemorate the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, with several focused on clean energy and gas infrastructure development.

Eid Mubarak!

The Authority Chief Executive, Mr. Rabiu Umar, has held his maiden Town Hall meeting with staff of the Authority at the Headquarters, with regional and field offices joining virtually.

At the meeting, the ACE outlined his vision and strategic direction for the Authority, emphasizing a commitment to effective regulation, operational efficiency and professionalism in service delivery. He stated that his administration would be guided by the principles of being “Firm in Regulation, Fast in Ex*****on and Fair in Conduct.”

Mr. Umar urged staff to remain dedicated, disciplined and collaborative in advancing the mandate of the Authority, while fostering a culture of accountability, transparency and excellence.

The Town Hall meeting also provided an opportunity for staff engagement, interaction and alignment with the new leadership’s goals for the growth and transformation of the Authority.

Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, the Authority Chief Executive (ACE) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), on Monday paid a courtesy visits to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, as part of ongoing engagements to advance the Authority’s regulatory mandate.

During the visits, the ACE sought the Ministers’ continued support and guidance in delivering on the Authority’s strategic objectives. The Ministers congratulated the ACE on his appointment and assured him of their unwavering support as he navigates the responsibilities of the office.

Mr Rabiu expressed appreciation for the warm reception and confidence reposed in him, noting that he was highly impressed by the depth of expertise, professionalism and dedication of the workforce within the Authority. He pledged to harness the wealth of talent across the NMDPRA to strengthen regulatory performance, drive innovation and advance the growth of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has intensified efforts to implement the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) framework under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, with the introduction of a digital portal aimed at improving transparency and accountability.

The Authority disclosed this on Wednesday during a Stakeholder Sensitisation Workshop on the implementation of the HCDT framework and the operationalisation of the HCDT Digital Portal held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking on behalf of the Authority Chief Executive, Mr Rabiu Umar, the Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC), Dr Mustapha Lamorde, said the portal will facilitate digital registration of Trusts, project tracking, compliance reporting, monitoring of statutory contributions and real time regulatory oversight.

“With strong national expectations for the HCDT framework to transition from policy to practical implementation, the workshop was organised to provide clarity on the establishment of Host Community Development Trusts.

“It will also provide guidance on the governance responsibilities of Trustees and Management Committees, obligations of operators and licensees, administration of the Trust Fund, compliance and reporting requirements, as well as grievance resolution mechanisms established under the Regulations,” he said.

He further urged operators to comply with the mandatory three per cent annual contribution requirement to ensure sustainable development in host communities.

Also speaking, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, commended NMDPRA for organising the sensitisation forum.

He noted that midstream operations, including pipelines, depots, terminals, processing facilities and transportation infrastructure, are critical to Nigeria’s energy security, stressing that host communities must derive practical and lasting benefits from such operations.

He also called on host communities to embrace unity, accountability and constructive engagement while protecting petroleum infrastructure within their communities.

Also, the Director, Environmental Sustainability and Host Community, NMDPRA, Mrs Anne Omezi, said the stakeholder engagement on the operationalisation of the HCDT framework would promote transparency, collaboration and sustainable development while ensuring host communities derive greater benefits from Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“We are here to build bridges of understanding, foster collaboration and establish a shared vision for community development. I encourage everyone to actively participate and share ideas that will deliver lasting benefits to host communities within the midstream segment of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chief Barry Mwara, from one of the host communities in Rivers State, said the sensitisation programme had provided him with valuable information and knowledge that would help in charting a brighter future for his community.

“I will go back with this information so we can further strategise on how to benefit from midstream activities in our communities,” he said.

He urged the Authority to strengthen its supervisory role to ensure that the fund is properly managed and utilised for its intended purpose.

The Authority Chief Executive, Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, paid a courtesy visit to the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan accompanied by members of his management team.

The visit marked Mr. Umar’s first official outing since his appointment as the substantive Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA and underscored the strong working relationship between the two regulatory institutions in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

During the meeting, both chief executives discussed areas of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in the effective regulation of the petroleum sector in line with the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act.

The engagement highlighted the importance of synergy between NMDPRA and NUPRC in promoting regulatory efficiency, enhancing industry performance, and supporting the sustainable development of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.Both regulatory chiefs look forward to a sustained collaborative and professional relationship that would benefit the industry and help stimulate sector investments and opportunities.