NNPC: Ministers Chart Course Gor West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP)

The Committee of Ministers for the West African Gas Pipeline Project met in Abuja on Friday, reaffirming its central role in West Africa’s regional energy agenda.

The meeting brought together ministers and high-level representatives from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana, alongside officials from ECOWAS, the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) and West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo).

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, who opened the meeting, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the long-term sustainability and expansion of the pipeline, adding that since its inception, the WAGP has transported over 613 million MMBtu of natural gas, with Nigeria accounting for more than 68 per cent of total volumes supplied to Benin, Togo, and Ghana.

NNPC

On his part, NNPC Limited’s Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, emphasised the company’s active stewardship of Nigeria’s gas export commitments and its broader role in shaping regional energy cooperation across West Africa.

With gas throughput reaching approximately 80 million MMBtu in 2025, a 22 per cent rise on prior years, and discussions advancing on expanding pipeline capacity utilisation by 45 per cent in 2026, NNPC Limited remains at the centre of efforts to grow a credible, commercially viable regional gas market.

Nigeria Open To More Investment In Offshore Oil And Gas Sector

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has boosted investor confidence in Nigeria, expressing optimism that reforms under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are driving a steady rise in Foreign Direct Investment, particularly in offshore oil and gas exploration.

The Minister shared this optimism today while receiving Mr. Jagir Baxi on a working visit. Mr. Baxi is the newly appointed Chairman, Managing Director, and Lead Country Manager of ExxonMobil Nigeria and its affiliates — Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated: “We can increase our production. I sincerely believe we can do more than we are currently doing in oil exploration. We need more investment from ExxonMobil. Investors require the right policies, as well as strategic partnerships and alliances.”

He assured the ExxonMobil management team of the Federal Government’s unwavering support, particularly from the Ministry of Interior.

The Minister commended ExxonMobil and its affiliates for their cutting-edge initiatives in developing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, especially in offshore exploration. He also expressed appreciation to the company for its sustained investment and commitment to the Nigerian economy.

According to verified statistics, ExxonMobil and its affiliates have invested over $3.5 billion in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Earlier, Mr. Jagir Baxi commended the Minister’s reform-driven leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s internal security, immigration, emergency management, and correctional services. He reaffirmed that ExxonMobil will continue to invest in Nigeria, with a focus on deep-water resources.

Nigeria Open To More Investment In Offshore Oil And Gas Sector

Highlighting the company’s over 70-year presence in Nigeria, Mr. Baxi cited the Erha offshore oil and gas platform as a flagship project delivering significant value to the country. He noted that the platform has generated over $1 billion in royalties, $22 billion in taxes, and $300 million in levies for the Nigerian economy.

E-Signed
Mary Ali (Mrs)
Head, Press and Public Relations
16th April 2026

“Nigeria Ready For Business”, Dabiri-Erewa Assures In Silicon Valley, US

Abuja, April 12, 2026: Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has assured Nigerians and investors in the Diaspora that Nigeria is conducive and ready to welcome all investors to the country as the country has all it takes for investment opportunities.

She gave this assurance while delivering a keynote address as Guest Speaker at the prestigious Pre-Africa Diaspora Investment Summit (ADIS26) Partnerships Dinner in Silicon Valley, California, United States of America.

The exclusive dinner served as a prelude to the main African Diaspora Investment Symposium 2026 (ADIS26), which took place at Santa Clara University under the theme “Bridging Africa & Silicon Valley: Shaping the Future of Innovation, Investment, and Inclusive Growth.”

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted Nigeria’s strategic focus on harnessing the expertise, capital, and networks of its vibrant diaspora to drive national growth, economic diversification, and technological advancement, and highlighted policies put in place by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She emphasised the administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen diaspora engagement and create enabling frameworks for productive investments back home.

The NIDCOM boss commended the enthusiasm and collaborative spirit demonstrated by Nigerians in the US, reaffirming the immense potential of the diaspora as a catalyst for growth and development.

She, appreciated Almaz Negash, Founder and CEO of the African Diaspora Network (ADN), and the entire organising team for their exceptional leadership in convening the impactful event.

“Their dedication continues to foster meaningful connections that translate into tangible opportunities for Africa and its diaspora.

Dabiri-Erewa

The same message was reiterated during a working lunch with Nigerian professionals who expressed their enthusiasm to work with NIDCOM to contribute their quota to National development.

The two events brought together prominent Nigerians, African, and American leaders, innovators, investors, and policymakers, and created a vibrant platform for meaningful dialogue on diaspora-driven investments, innovation, and sustainable partnerships between Africa and the global tech ecosystem, reflecting a shared commitment to moving beyond remittances toward impactful, long-term investments in Africa’s development.

E-signed
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM, Abuja.