The Kogi State Government has taken a significant step toward becoming a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector as Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo performed the groundbreaking ceremony for five Mini Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants in Ajaokuta.
The project, spearheaded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited in collaboration with private sector partners, aims to enhance domestic gas supply, drive industrialization, and create employment opportunities.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, Governor Ododo described the LNG plants as a transformative investment that will not only position Kogi as an energy hub but also stimulate economic activities in the state. “The establishment of these LNG plants will not only bolster Nigeria’s energy security but will also provide an opportunity for Kogi State to lead in the energy sector,” he stated.
He further noted that the plants will initially produce 84.5 million cubic feet of gas daily, catering to both national and international markets.
The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to energy transition and industrial growth, stressing that the project aligns with the federal government’s efforts to move from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.
He also commended the NNPC Limited and its private sector partners—Prime LNG, NGML/GASNEXUS LNG, LNG ARETE, HIGHLAND LNG, and BUA LNG—for their investment in the state’s energy future.
NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, emphasized the economic and environmental benefits of the initiative, stating that it represents a critical milestone in Nigeria’s gas revolution. “This is not just a symbolic event but a concrete step towards energy transformation. The LNG plants will accelerate gas supply to communities lacking infrastructure, in line with our vision of gas as a pathway to economic prosperity,” Kyari added.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpo Ekpo, credited President Tinubu’s executive order for fast-tracking the development of the LNG plants. He emphasized that the project is a direct response to the federal government’s push to maximize Nigeria’s gas potential and support industrialization efforts.
Similarly, Minister for Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, noted that the LNG initiative aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to create a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
The event concluded with the groundbreaking ceremony at two of the project sites, attended by top government officials, investors, and industry stakeholders.
