Two Nigerians Emerge as Chairman and Secretary-General of Gas Exporting Countries Forum
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership role in the emergence of two Nigerians — Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), and Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) — as Chairman and Secretary-General, respectively, of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
NNPC Ltd described the development as a historic milestone for Nigeria and a clear testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing its Gas Agenda, which seeks to position natural gas as a key driver of industrial growth and economic development.
In a statement issued by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company noted that Dr. Mshelbila was elected at the 27th GECF Ministerial Meeting held in Doha, Qatar, succeeding Mohamed Hamel of Algeria as the fifth Secretary-General of the global organization. The GECF serves as a leading voice for natural gas producers worldwide and plays a pivotal role in promoting gas as a cornerstone of global sustainable development.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, congratulated Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo on his emergence as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting, commending his leadership and ongoing efforts to harness Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for industrialization and economic advancement.
Ojulari also applauded Dr. Mshelbila’s achievement at Nigeria LNG Limited, where he has successfully driven the transformation of Nigeria’s vast gas reserves into export-grade Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and condensates, meeting domestic energy needs while expanding Nigeria’s footprint in the global energy market.
“This is a proud moment for Nigeria and a validation of our country’s growing influence in the global gas sector,” Ojulari said. “It reinforces our commitment to maximizing the value of Nigeria’s gas resources for national prosperity and sustainable development.”
The twin appointments are expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s voice within the international gas community and enhance collaboration among member nations toward achieving a cleaner, more secure global energy future.
