The federal government says the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund has invested over N287 billion in various gas infrastructure projects with 16 companies across 62 projects as of October 2025.

Farouk Ahmed, the chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Ahmed said this at the maiden conference of the Energy Correspondents Association of Nigeria.

Mr Ahmed said the MDGIF had catalysed an additional $500 million investment in gas infrastructure by leveraging AFRIEXIM Bank’s partnership to expand energy access to drive economic development. He stated that the NMDPRA had achieved significant milestones in its four years of existence, following the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

Mr Ahmed said the period had seen major strides in regulatory reform, operational efficiency, and transparency in the midstream and downstream oil and gas sector. He stated that the NMDPRA had successfully gazetted 18 regulations, automated key processes to promote ease of doing business, and facilitated a rise in crude oil supply to domestic refineries from 20,000 barrels per day in 2023 to over 40,000 bpd in 2025.

According to him, refined products supplies from local refineries had also improved significantly, with petrol output increasing from 1.3 billion litres in 2024 to 3.8 billion litres in 2025. Mr Ahmed disclosed that the fund had invested ₦287 billion across 62 gas infrastructure projects, catalysing an additional $500 million investment through a partnership with Afreximbank.

He listed key projects supported under the PIA framework, including UTM Offshore Floating LNG, NLNG Train 7, AKK and OB3 gas pipelines, Indorama fertiliser plant, Waltersmith refinery expansion, and Supertech’s methanol project.

He said it had issued 10 gas distribution licences covering 692km of pipelines with a combined capacity of 712 million standard cubic feet per day, and granted 23 refinery establishment licences expected to add over 850,000 bpd to Nigeria’s refining capacity.

Mr Ahmed stated that the authority had also developed Gas Trading and Settlement Regulations, leading to the licensing of Nigeria’s first gas trading exchange in May 2025.

Regarding market stability, he noted that the NMDPRA’s efficient regulation had ensured a steady product supply nationwide, maintaining sufficiency levels of 12 to 48 days and eliminating fuel shortages.

While acknowledging challenges such as regulatory overlaps, Mr Ahmed stated that the authority continued to utilise the PIA to ensure a level playing field and attract private investment.

He expressed optimism that the coming on stream of the Dangote Refinery, modular refineries, and the completion of major gas infrastructure would expand domestic refining capacity and energy access.

“Together, we can build a sector that powers homes, industries, and most importantly, hopes and opportunities for generations to come,” Mr Ahmed said.

(NAN)