The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has praised President Bola Tinubu for his role in securing two major leadership positions for Nigeria at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
NNPC Ltd called the development a historic endorsement of the Federal Government’s domestic gas agenda.
Philip Mshelbila, the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG), was elected as the new Secretary General of the GECF at the Forum’s 27th Ministerial Meeting held in Doha, Qatar.
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He succeeded Algeria’s Mohamed Hamel as the fifth official to hold the position at the intergovernmental organisation, which advocates for natural gas as a foundation for global sustainable development.
Simultaneously, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, was announced as the President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting.
Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., issued a statement expressing pride in the appointments.
He noted that they validate Tinubu’s “gas-to-prosperity agenda” which aims to leverage natural gas as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial growth, energy security, and economic transformation.
“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,” Ojulari said.
“With this feat, Philip Mshelbila has put Nigeria on the global energy map for good.”
Ojulari further assured that Mshelbila’s leadership at the GECF will usher in “remarkable progress” for Africa, Nigeria, and NNPC Ltd. in utilising natural gas as a pivotal resource for inclusive and sustainable development.
He also congratulated Ekpo for his new role, recognising his efforts to champion the harnessing of Nigeria’s vast gas resources for industrialisation.
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The GECF serves as a global platform for its member countries to exchange information and foster constructive dialogue between gas producers and consumers to enhance the stability and security of the global gas market.
Its 12 member nations—including Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, and Iran—collectively possess 69% of the world’s proven natural gas reserves, account for 39% of marketed production, contribute 40% of global gas exports, and represent 51% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
