By Obas Esiedesa
For decades, Nigeria’s energy sector has faced major infrastructure gaps, especially in the midstream and downstream gas sub-sector.
Although the country has abundant natural gas reserves, limited processing plants, poor storage and distribution systems, and few refuelling stations have hindered the full utilisation of gas as a cleaner and more affordable energy source.
This shortfall has increased dependence on petroleum products, leading to higher costs for homes and businesses thereby slowing the transition to sustainable energy alternatives.
In January 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of the Governing Council of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo as Chairman and Mr Oluwole Adama as Executive Director. Since then, the leadership team has provided clear direction to ensure that the Fund’s interventions align with national objectives for energy transition, industrial growth and energy security.
To date, 16 companies have benefited from MDGIF’s support; these include FEMADEC Energy Limited, Topline Limited, Asiko Energy Holdings Limited, Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation, Rolling Energy Limited, Nsik Oil and Gas Limited, Ant Energy Limited, Amari Energy Resources Limited, Sub-sea 9 Gas Limited, Deemah Integrated Services Limited, LNG Arete Limited, VTT LNG West Africa Limited, Geospectra Energy Limited, Waterdance International Concepts Limited, WishnefiskyGlobal Limited and Ssonic Petroleum Limited.
Significant progress is already visible across the projects being implemented by these companies. FEMADEC Energy Limited is establishing CNG refuelling stations in 20 universities nationwide. So far, 5 stations have been commissioned at Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, Yakubu Gowon University,Abuja, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, with additional stations expected to come on stream by December 2025.
Asiko Energy Holdings Limited is constructing a 5,000 MT LPG/Propane and 13,200MT LNG Terminal in Ijora, Lagos, a project that is at varying stages of completion and is scheduled for commissioning in the third quarter of 2026.
Topline Limited is developing a 5MMSCFD mini-LNG plant at Oghara, Delta State to process natural gas and produce clean, usable LNG for industrial and household use, thereby supporting Nigeria’s energy strategy for economic growth. It is expected to be commissioned by the last quarter, 2025.
Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation, which is being supported to build 15 CNG refuelling stations, has already achieved 60 per cent completion and is expected to be commissioned by the fourth quarter of 2025.
Similarly, Rolling Energy Limited, tasked with building LCNG and CNG refuelling stations at ten locations across Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Borno States, is at various stages of equipment fabrication and installation, with commissioning scheduled for the first quarter, 2026. Nsik Oil and Gas Limited has also reached 45 per cent completion of its CNG refuelling project, with commissioning targeted for first quarter 2026 as well. Several other vital projects are also underway with support from the Fund.
Infrastructure projects are inherently complex and typically take considerable time to deliver. What appears on site as construction is the end product of months, often years of planning, design and preparatory work carried out by multiple specialists. Key stages in that process include procurement and contracting, regulatory approvals, detailed engineering and technical design, the mobilisation of finance, and coordination among government agencies, contractors and local communities.
Each stage must be completed thoroughly to ensure safety, value for money and long-term operability, because delays in any one area can push back overall delivery timelines. For these reasons, it is common for infrastructure schemes to require several years from first concept to commissioning, with the economic and social benefits gradually becoming evident only once systems are fully operational.
The MDGIF is proving to be an exception in terms of early delivery. The Fund launched its first six projects in October 2024, and within a short period several schemes have already been commissioned. Additional projects are slated to become operational in fourth quarter 2025 and first quarter 2026. This rapid progress highlights the MDGIF’s focused implementation approach and its commitment to turning investment into tangible benefits for Nigerians
The impact of the Fund’s interventions is already becoming clear; its projects are expanding access to affordable and cleaner energy, lowering transportation costs through CNG adoption, strengthening energy security by reducing reliance on imports, stimulating industrial growth, and creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
The impact of MDGIF’s interventions is already tangible and set to grow as the Fund scales up delivery across the country. By accelerating the rollout of CNG, LNG and LPG infrastructure, the Fund is helping to reduce energy costs, enhance national energy security, stimulate industrial development and generate employment opportunities across the value chain. MDGIF will continue to prioritise transparent project delivery and robust governance to ensure that investments translate into measurable socioeconomic benefits for communities nationwide.
Mr Oluwole Adama, Executive Director, aptly said: “Our mandate is to turn potentials into prosperity. We are focused on delivering high-quality gas infrastructure that supports cleaner energy use, drives industrial growth and improves livelihoods. We will sustain rigorous oversight, timely reporting and active engagement with partners so that every project delivers value for money and lasting impact.”
In September 2024, the Federal Government released N122 billion to six gas infrastructure companies with the goal of transforming the midstream gas value chain across the country.
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo disclosed that the MDGIF entered into agreement with Gas Infrastructure Promoters, to improve Nigeria gas infrastructure.
Ekpo said that the fund was committed to the investors to ensure that Nigeria was driven by gas.
“This is a historic day for the Nigerian gas industry as we announce and finalise a partnership between public and private sectors with the goal of transforming the midstream gas value chain.
This is a reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts and enthusiasm to improve and foster business relationships between the public and private sectors.
Today is a significant milestone as we formally enter into agreements with six business entities that have been screened to obtain government equity participation under the MDGIF,” he said.
Ekpo said the promoters were carefully chosen in compliance with the MDGIF Investment Policy Statement (MIPS) and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, deserve our congratulations.
They have demonstrated their ability and commitment in supporting us to provide gas to end users,” he said.
The minister said that the MDGIF stood at the forefront of the strategy to modernise Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.
According to him, it has been designed as a catalyst for investment, aiming at bridging gaps in the gas value chain by ensuring the financing and delivery of critical projects.
These initiatives will accelerate our journey towards energy security, industrial growth, and economic prosperity, in alignment with the goals of the decade of gas initiative.
“By bringing together government’s efforts and private sector expertise, the MDGIF is positioned to fuel growth in gas processing, transportation, storage, and distribution infrastructure.
“This collaboration is essential to achieving our target of transitioning from a crude oil-dependent economy to one driven by natural gas and its derivatives,” he said. Ekpo said the selection process was rigorous and each of the companies was chosen for their track record of excellence, technical expertise and unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria’s gas revolution.
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