…Says milestone affirms Nigeria’s rising influence in global gas leadership
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic role in the emergence of Nigeria’s candidate, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Ltd, as the new Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, on Thursday in Abuja.
The statement reads partly: “NNPC Ltd is proud of what Mshelbila has achieved at Nigeria LNG, where he has worked tirelessly to transform Nigeria’s vast gas reserves into export-grade LNG, LPG, and condensates, serving domestic needs and global markets in the process.
“With this feat, Philip Mshelbila has put Nigeria on the global energy map for good. This shows that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s gas-to-prosperity agenda aimed at utilising natural gas as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial growth, energy security, and economic transformation is on the right trajectory.
“With Mshelbila at the helm of GECF, Africa, Nigeria, and indeed the NNPC Ltd will witness remarkable progress in the quest to make natural gas the pivotal resource for inclusive and sustainable development.
“NNPC Ltd also congratulates the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, on his emergence as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting, in recognition of his efforts to harness Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for industrialisation and economic growth.”
Dr. Mshelbila was elected during the 27th GECF Ministerial Meeting held in Doha, Qatar, where he succeeded Mohamed Hamel of Algeria as the fifth Secretary General of the global gas body. His election, according to NNPC Ltd, represents a historic moment for Nigeria and reaffirms the country’s leadership in the global energy transition.
NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the appointments as a validation of Nigeria’s Gas Agenda, which focuses on utilising natural gas as a catalyst for industrial expansion and sustainable economic development.
He added that the dual recognitions of Mshelbila and Ekperikpo reflect the growing international confidence in Nigeria’s gas sector and the visionary leadership of President Tinubu in positioning the country as a key player in the global gas economy.
The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) is an international intergovernmental organisation that serves as a platform for major gas-producing nations to exchange expertise and promote dialogue between producers and consumers.
The organisation’s member countries include Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela, with several others serving as observer members. Collectively, GECF nations account for 69% of global gas reserves and 51% of LNG exports.