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  • NGA takes delivery of 1191 digitalised artworks in national collection

    NGA takes delivery of 1191 digitalised artworks in national collection

    Director General, National Gallery of Art, Mr. Ahmed Bashir Sodangi has assured that the training and retraining of National Gallery of Art staff remains a key component of ongoing development programmes to reposition the gallery and contemporary Nigerian art.

    He said that capacity development of staff is of top priority in every partnership the gallery entered into within Nigeria or outside the country, in the form of workshop or exhibition.  This, he said, will be a continuous thing

     “Every partnership we entered into in the form of workshop, or exhibition within or outside Nigeria, we always make sure and emphasise that our staff are carried along because that is the best way to transfer the knowledge, as learning never ends,” he added.

    Sodangi spoke at the handover ceremony of the digital inventory documentation of artworks in the National Collection last Friday at the National Gallery of Art, Aina Onabolu Building, National Theatre Complex, in Lagos.

    No fewer than 1,191 artworks made by living and dead masters were restored and digitalised after four months by a team comprised of experts from Goethe Institut, Lagos and NGA Lagos station.

    “Before the programme started, we had an in-house training session for about three days,” he said, adding that the entire process of restoring and digitising the works in national collection was done with active participation of NGA staff, adding that these trained staff will be going to Abuja to also train some of their colleagues.

    Sodangi described the national collections as priceless artworks that are held in trust on behalf of the federal government and domiciled with the National Gallery.  “So these are priceless treasures that I believe a particular generation has never seen before.

    “Why? Because we’ve been in storage.  We’ve been in storage for a very long time, and because we do not have a National Gallery in place where we can actually practise our actual mind.  So, that poses a challenge for us, and the question is, what do we do about it?  “Even if we now get a National Gallery today, can we bring out these artworks and exhibit them? Are we satisfied with the conditions that they are because these things have been in storage for decades?,” he added.

    This project, according to him, is the first step that will be followed by documentation of about 700 to 800 artworks in Abuja.

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    Citing one of the benefits of digitising artworks in national collection, Sodangi hinted that NGA has signed an MOU with Google Arts and Culture where they want to host the national collection.  “So, these are the very wonderful things that happened when you have very strategic collaboration and partnerships that make sense,” he added.  

    Director, Goethe Institut, Lagos Dr Nadine Siegert who commended the support and cooperation of NGA staff during the four months project, identified some benefits Nigeria can get from the restored collection, which include monetary evaluation, international collaboration, and international loan opportunity.

    “Hopefully the institutions that come for the loans will put some money into the restoration. So, it can be a chain of continued collaboration, which the Gallery can benefit from.

    “If institutions like MOWAA, private funders, public funders, and international organisations decide to further collaborate with the Gallery, they can now look at the condition reports and pick artworks that need to be restored. And it’s easy now to understand the condition and what needs to be done.

    “There is also the international loan opportunity because we see a lot of interest in African modernism and Nigerian modernism,” she said.

    Dr. Siegert disclosed that there will be a big show at the Tate Modern in London in October featuring one work from the National Gallery of Art produced by Ben Enwonwu in the late 70s.  The artwork, she said, was restored with the support of the Museum for West African Art (MOWAA).

    Project Coordinator, Mr Tobi Bolaji Idowu identified some gaps and opportunities in the collection, which Nigerian art historians and researchers can explore to complement the efforts made so far in the restoration and digitisation of the National Art Collection that has been in a poor state for decades. He noted that some of the works do not have title, name of artist and dissertation about the artist.

    Present at the ceremony include Director General, Centre for Black Arts and African Civilisation (CBAAC), Aisha Augie, Ndidi Dike, representatives of Julius Berger, Mr. Emmanuel Egbenuka and Vera Parmi and Ms. Udochukwu Okeahialam  of German Consulate, Lagos. 

  • NGA: Children represent a glorious future

    NGA: Children represent a glorious future

    The Director-General, National Gallery of Art (NGA), Ahmed Sodangi, has said the proposed Nigerian Creative Industry bill is underway to provide a legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the development of a sustainable environment for the Visual Art.

    He said the bill would be in sync with the provisions of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2005 Convention of the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and Aspiration 5 of the African Union Agenda 2063 for an African with a strong cultural identity and common heritage.

    This, according to Sodangi, who spoke on Visual Art as a panacea for the growth of our economy at this year’s Children Day Visual Art exhibition and prize-giving ceremony, held at FCT Exhibition Pavilion, Area 11, Abuja, last Monday, is what Mr. President’s creative economy mantra aims to achieve in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The exhibition, which attracted about 350 students from the FCT, was curated by Perpetual Onyejekwe, NGA Abuja Head of Station. 

    He, however, noted that Nigeria’s Visual Arts industry was yet to live up to its full potential, but that, according to experts, it has the capacity to contribute $100 billion to the nation’s economy by 2030, when the government and the private sector partner to create an enabling business environment.

    Sodangi said beyond the fact that the artworks being exhibited were as innocent as the children’s thought process, they represent a glorious future for Nigeria that only you can see.

    “Your ability to interpret the theme for this year’s commemorative art competition in such an amazing expression is a thing of pride to me as Custodian-in-Chief of our Nation’s creative spirit; and I thank the teachers who have motivated the children to show their talents on this occasion. Now, you all can enjoy the fun-filled activities as outlined by the National Gallery of Art,” he added.

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    Reflecting on the significant role children play in shaping the society and contributing to a brighter future of Nigeria, he recalled that one month ago, at the Transcorp Hilton, in Abuja, the National Gallery of Art celebrated one of our children by name Kanyeyachukwu. He noted that there are several other Kanyeyachukwus amongst the children at the event.

    “This day is very important in the life of a child as well as their parents. To the children, I say that the day reminds us about our duties towards you all. You are like a tender bud, who in whichever way, can and must be molded. Children’s Day is celebrated with lots of fun and frolic activities. This is the day, which removes all the barriers against children and allows them to celebrate as they want. I have seen the awesomeness of your creativity as expressed in the works of art exhibited here,” he said.

    He stressed that through visual art, the creative industries have emerged as the most dynamic sectors in the Nigeria’s economy, providing new opportunities to both the young and old. “Visual art as a panacea for economic growth has no single definition,” he added.

  • NGA hails FG on gas policy directives

    NGA hails FG on gas policy directives

    The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has commended the Federal Government for the recent Gazetting of three pivotal policy directives in the oil and gas sector. 

    The directives, which encompass multifaceted strategies, including introducing fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, midstream, and deep water developments, streamlining the contracting process to compress the contracting cycle to six months, and applying local content requirements without hindering investments or cost competitiveness, the NGA noted, is a monumental leap towards unlocking investments in the sector.

    The NGA President, Aka Nwokedi, in a statement made available to The Nation, described the new policy directives as transformative milestones poised to revolutionise the country’s oil and gas sector energy landscape, with gas as a critical enabler.

    He was emphatic that the strategic introduction of fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, midstream, and deepwater developments is poised to attract substantial investments, bolster security measures, escalate production rates activities, amplify domestic gas utilisation, and refine the ease of doing business within the sector.

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    Nwokedi further noted that streamlining the contracting process to expedite the current 36-month contracting cycle to just six months is a game-changer. 

    “This would significantly reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhance operational efficiency across the sector. This streamlined approach will catalyse project execution, optimise resource allocation, and foster a conducive environment for local and international investors.

    “Moreover, applying local content requirements without compromising investments or cost competitiveness underscores the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and empowering local stakeholders. These directives could pave the way for inclusive growth, knowledge transfer, and skill development within the Nigerian workforce by balancing local content obligations and investment incentives.

    “We commend the Federal Government for its unwavering commitment to driving positive change and fostering a conducive environment for investment in the oil and gas sector,” stated Mr. Nwokedi. “These progressive policy directives mark a significant leap forward in our collective journey towards a sustainable energy future and bolstering security across Nigeria,” Nwokedi said in the statement.

    The NGA  reiterated the its steadfast commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government to actualise the nation’s strategic energy objectives, focusing on leveraging gas as a pivotal enabler of economic prosperity and national development.

  • Gas key to Fed Govt’s diversification plan, says NGA

    Gas key to Fed Govt’s diversification plan, says NGA

    The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has said the inclusion of gas sector in Federal Government’s economic diversification plans will engender substantial growth.

    NGA Chairman Mr. Thomas Dada stated this during a night with Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, and inauguration of NGA Advisory Board in Lagos.

    Dada said the inclusion of the gas sector in the economic diversification plans of the government became necessary in order to fully tap into opportunities that abound in the sector.

    He said the sector hsld  much prospects in view of its 187 trillion standard cubic feet (scf) of proven gas reserves and over 600 trillion scf of unproven gas reserves at the disposal of Nigeria.

    The NGA organised a dinner for the chief executive officers of oil and gas companies at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos where Baru was the special guest of honour. Dada said the gas sector had potential that could easily translate to growth. He said the potential if well harnessed, would accelerate the growth of the economy.

    He said gas is used for domestic purposes by individuals and industrial concerns and petrochemical industries as well as by turbines to generate electricity. It is also exported as liquefied product, among other usages.

    Dada said: “Gas is used across the value chain. The power generation companies (GenCos), fertiliser companies, refinery plants and other institutions use gas a lot. Gas has a multiplier effect on the economy as it provides windows for improving productivity and earning income for the operators including the government. Diversification seeks to move the country from a mono-economy, which is oil, to a multiple economy that comprises of various sectors. Diversification engenders growth and gas would help in this regard.”

    He said while some potentials have been discovered by the operators including the government, others are yet to be unearthed, urging the government to put in place concrete measures to discover and utilise them well for the growth of the economy.

    According to him, the sector provides net revenue for the government, after oil, advising the government against focusing on non-oil sectors alone, in its diversification programmes.

    Dada said gas is the only antidote to the power problem in Nigeria where about 70 per cent of the electricity generated is through the gas turbines.

    “Once gas is made available for the power sector, there would be electricity and economic growth. Companies depend solely on power for operation and the moment firms have electricity to bank on, activities and revenue would shoot up. More people would get jobs and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would increase as well. Conversely, where there is no gas, there is no power and no economic development,” he added.

    He observed that some fields that contain associated gas are idle due to neglect, advising operators to explore gas in those fields with a view to improving productivity in the economy.

    Dada said huge gas deposits are available upstream, midstream and downstream segment of the oil and gas sector for collection, warning against wastage of the resources.

    Also, Dr. Maikanti Baru said stakeholders in the gas sector must play one role or other if gas will influence the growth of the economy. He said the issue of making gas contribute to economic growth must be left at the doorstep of the Nigerian Gas Association alone, and enjoined the support of the Advisory Board that was constituted by NGA on the matter.

    The Board, Baru said, is made up of tested and experienced personnel in the oil and gas industry, adding that it is time for them to make their experience to bear on the gas sector.

     

  • NGA: market forces to drive gas supply

    Domestic Supply Obligation (DSO) of gas should be predicated on willing buyer-willing seller basis, the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has said.
    The body, which made its stance known at a stakeholders’ forum on the draft National Gas Policy organised by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in Abuja, said relying on the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria Limited (GACN) process could not guarantee the desired volumes to domestic market irrespective of the assignment of DSO to operators.
    This is because, it said, the aggregation process could not support bankable transactions as it introduces an undue layer of uncertainty to the income stream of projects.
    “While we support the allocation of DSO to producing companies, we believe that the national objective of guaranteeing sufficient gas volumes to the domestic market can be better achieved if such DSO policy is implemented on a willing buyer, willing seller basis,” the NGA stated.
    On gas pricing, NGA noted that the 2008 Domestic Gas Supply Pricing and Regulation had contemplated a five-year transition period from 2008 to 2013. However, rolling out a new policy with an indeterminate transition period eight years after, is far from encouraging particularly as the triggers for the Wholesale Market Regime and end of regulated pricing suggested in section 4.3.8 of the draft policy seem to be very far-fetched and mostly unachievable within the short to medium term.
    “We strongly support a move towards deregulated pricing on a willing buyer-willing seller basis while retaining the existing regulatory approvals by NERC of prices for gas to power transactions,” said Dada Thomas, NGA President.
    According to the NGA Publicity Secretary, Frank Uzuegbunam, the draft policy appears to be “too detailed and prescriptive and runs the risk of ultimately conflicting with supporting regulations when put in place’’.

    The association believes that one major problem for legal separation of upstream and midstream companies as contained in the draft policy is that it will negatively impact existing commercial structures with significant additional tax costs and could end up being a barrier to further investment rather than opening up the sector to increased competition.
    “The Policy’s objective to incentivise investment in midstream sector may be hampered by forcing a legal separation between upstream and midstream companies. The Policy should encourage all types of partnerships between upstream producers and midstream participants including vertical integration down the value chain. New entrants who choose to play in a single part of the chain should be adequately protected by legislation/regulation,” NGA said.

  • Osinbajo to declare NGA confab open

    The 10th International Gas Conference and Exhibition will hold between October 30 and November 2,  2016 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will declare it open, the Nigerian Gas Association(NGA) said.

    Osinbajo will also deliver the Keynote address and lead government delegation. The vice president’s presence will reinforce the NGA’s desire to see the commitment of government towards ensuring that gas takes its pride of place in the country, the Association added.

    “Nigeria is slowly turning to gas as primary driver of the nation’s development, which is a further indication that the government has a prominent role to play,” said Bolaji Osunsanya, NGA President.

    The theme of the conference: “Nigerian Gas Roadmap: Potential for Domestic, Regional and Global influence”,  according to industry stakeholders, is apt in view of  the  country’s interests in the West Africa Gas Pipeline, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited and the challenges in the power sector both in Nigeria and beyond.

    In a statement by the association’s Publicity Secretary, Debo Fagbami, NGA said “the conference will stimulate the much-needed conversation on a range of important and diverse perspectives regarding natural gas development and its economic benefits to Nigeria”.

    The conference will also provide opportunity for  dialogue between the association and all the stakeholders, who play in the gas value chain, in order to ensure that  Nigeria’s huge natural gas resources is used as a viable option to crude oil

    Experts, who have indicated interest to speak at the event, include Group Managing Director of NNPC Maikanti Baru, Clay Neff; Chairman of OPTS/Chairman of Chevron Nigeria, Tony Attah; Managing Director of NLNG, Demola Adeyemi-Bero; Managing Director of First E & P, Osagie Okunbor; Managing Director of SPDC and Chief Executive of Seven Energy, Jeff Corey, among  others.

    The conference and the exhibition will attract over 500  top officials from 43 energy, gas, power, natural gas distribution, and transmission companies, including diversified ones.

  • NGA launches study groups to boost gas growth

    To facilitate gas optimisation, the executive council of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has inaugurated five study groups to lead research and explore viable methods to exploiting the vast and untapped gas resources for domestic utilisation.

    NGA President Bolaji Osunsanya said: “I am excited by the calibre and experience of the volunteers involved, and the vibrant enthusiasm they’ve shown for the task at hand. The rejuvenation of the study groups encourages the self-development of our members, and establishes the groups as focal engagement points and drivers of the NGA’s pertinent objectives. More importantly, the key findings collated will significantly enhance the association’s advocacy capacity, and enable us better synergise with the government and other important institutions to promote the best technical, regulatory, and contractual practices.”

    NGA’s 1st Vice President and overseer of the study groups, Dada Thomas said: “The fact-based research and key position papers provided by the study groups will play a crucial part in advancing the NGA’s four cardinal value propositions of anticipating and driving legislation and policies; positioning the association as the data and knowledge resource centre of choice within the industry; encouraging best practices and acceptable standards; and promoting viable investments within the Nigerian gas sector. The executive council is committed to the prevailing success of the groups, and will ensure adequate support is constantly provided.”

    The study groups are Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution chaired by Mr. James Odiase, Senior Manager, Commercial Gas, Seven Exploration & Production Limited; Industrial Utilization and Power Generation, chaired by Mrs. Yetunde Taiwo, Managing Director,                Seplat Gas, a subsidiary of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc; Domestic, Commercial and Transportation, chaired by Mr. Emeka Ene, Managing Director                Oildata Energy Group; Environment, Safety and Health, chaired by Mr. Toyin Adenuga, Managing Director, Shell Gas Nigeria Limited; and Legal and  Fiscal, Mr. Ike Oguine, Chief Consultant, Advisory Legal Consultants

  • ‘NGA’ll execute its programmes’

    ‘NGA’ll execute its programmes’

    Despite the scarcity of funds, the management of National Gallery of Art (NGA) has resolved to keep faith with the implementation of its progammes and activities, which were initiated to promote the visual art sub-sector.

    The gallery will also push the Art Embellishment and Artist Royalty Act through at the National Assembly.

    NGA’s Director-General, Mr. Abdullahi Muku, who spoke with Arts Editors in Lagos, said: “If enacted the act will make it mandatory for every public building and bridges in Nigeria to have some kind of embellishment especially art works with a percentage of the construction cost set aside for this purpose.’

    He said apart from the money that would be made avalable to the artists to access through the sale of their works, to make them sit up and bring out the best in them.

    “With Artist Royalty entrenched in the Act, if an artist sells his work to somebody and that person resells it, a percentage of it will go to the artist or his/her family. This is a residual income that will benefit artists just like the royalty that performing artists enjoy for the playing of their musical works in any medium,” he noted.

    Three years ago, an Act aimed at promoting embellishment and artist royalty could not go beyond the first reading at the Seventh National Assembly. But, Muku assured that the NGA is hoping to reopen the bill through private sponsorship. “This is a dream we are hoping to realise with this eighth Assembly,” he added.

    Leading the programmes is the proposed Abuja Biennial, which has been in the works since 2013. Also, on the priority list of NGA is a proposed-bill to repeal and reenact the Act that set up the agency over 20 years ago.  According to Muku Abuja Biennial is an event, which the agency would continue to push for as it has a lot of economic benefits for Nigeria. “The Abuja Biennial is a programme we are committed to, both for its economic benefits to the country generally and the artists in particular,” Muku said.

    “For 14 days, renowned artists from Nigeria, Africa, the Diaspora and the world would gather in Abuja to showcase the best of the best of the their works with art collectors, art dealers and art lovers buying these works.”  Earlier scheduled for this year, the event has been rescheduled to hold in 2017.

    The decision to initiate the event, he said, was informed by the experience of NGA’s participation at similar events within Africa and overseas.

    He cited the Dak’Art in Dakar, Senegal as an example of a biennale that inspired the event. “Having participated in the Dakar Biennale almost from inception, we discovered that they have been able to make good money from organising the event compared to what they spend. We are hoping to do the same by getting the private sector fully involved and other key stakeholders,” he said, adding that the biennale would start even on a low key.

    Reacting to questions on how public-private partnership (PPP) can drive the gallery’s events, Muku said:  “We are open to the input of the private sector.  In fact, the coming in of Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN) was meant to promote government’s policy of public-private partnership (PPP) which was used to run the now rested Art Expo, Lagos.

    He did not fail to s the economic viability of the Abuja Biennale, saying: “The Abuja Biennial is an art market that will bring together artists, art and culture administrators, art collectors/connoisseurs, political leaders and administrators, tourists and tourism practitioners. It is so named to identify with the world standard as every biennial is named after its host city. Abuja being the capital city of Nigeria is chosen for its economic vantage position and is keying into Mr. President’s vision of diversifying the economy.”

    Other events of the gallery include Nupe Art Conference/Exhibition, Art of Friendship, Children Funfair, Children Funfair, Art Fair and National Visual Arts Competition.

    He, however, blamed the inability to host the National  Visual Arts Symposium and the distinguished lecture series last year on logistics, hoping that they would take place this year.

  • NGA resolves to keep faith with programmes

    NGA resolves to keep faith with programmes

    Despite paucity of fund the management of National Gallery of Art (NGA) has resolved to keep faith with the implementation of its progammes and activities, which are initiated to promote and propagate the visual art sub-sector. The gallery is also unrelenting in its campaign to push the Art Embellishment and Artist Royalty Act through the national assembly.

    Director-General of NGA, Mr. Abdullahi Muku who spoke with Arts Editors in Lagos said that ‘if enacted the act will make it mandatory for every public building and bridges in Nigeria to have some kind of embellishment especially art works with a percentage of the construction cost set aside for this purpose.’

    He stated that apart from the fact that the pool of money set aside will be available to the artists to access through the sale of their works, it would make them sit up and bring out the best in them.

    “With Artist Royalty entrenched in the Act, if an artist sells his work to somebody and that person resells it, a percentage of it will go to the artist or his/her family. This is a residual income that will benefit artists just like the royalty that performing artists enjoy for the playing of their musical works in any medium,” he noted.

    It will be recalled that three years ago, an Act aimed at promoting embellishment and artist royalty could not go beyond the first reading at the seventh National Assembly. But, Muku assured that NGA is hoping to reopen the bill through private sponsorship. “This is a dream we are hoping to realise with this 8th Assembly,” he added.

    Leading the prorammes is the proposed Abuja Biennial, which has been in the works since 2013. Also, on the priority list of NGA is a proposed-bill to repeal and reenact the Act that set up the agency over 20 years ago.  According to Muku Abuja Biennial is an event, which the agency would continue to push for as it has a lot of economic benefits for Nigeria. “The Abuja Biennial is a programme we are committed to, both for its economic benefits to the country generally and the artists in particular,” Muku said.

    “For 14 days, renowned artists from Nigeria, Africa, the Diaspora and the world would gather in Abuja to showcase the best of the best of the their works with art collectors, art dealers and art lovers buying these works.”  Earlier scheduled for this year, the event has been rescheduled to hold in 2017.

    The decision to initiate the event, he said, was informed by the experience of NGA’s participation at similar events within Africa and overseas. He cited the Dak’Art in Dakar, Senegal as an example of a biennale that inspired the event. “Having participated in the Dakar Biennale almost from inception, we discovered that they have been able to make good money from organising the event compared to what they spend. We are hoping to do the same by getting the private sector fully involved and other key stakeholders,” he added noting that the biennale would start even on a low key.

    Reacting to questions on how public-private partnership (PPP) can drive the gallery’s events, Muku said:  “We are open to the input of the private sector.  In fact, the coming in of Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN) was meant to promote government’s policy of public-private partnership (PPP) which was used to run the now rested Art Expo, Lagos.

    Muku did not fail to flaunt the economic viability of the Abuja Biennale, saying: “The Abuja Biennial is an art market that will bring together artists, art and culture administrators, art collectors/connoisseurs, political leaders and administrators, tourists and tourism practitioners. It is so named to identify with the world standard as every biennial is named after its host city. Abuja being the capital city of Nigeria is chosen for its economic vantage position and is keying into Mr. President’s vision of diversifying the economy.” Other events of the gallery include Nupe Art Conference/Exhibition, Art of Friendship, Children Funfair, Children Funfair, Art Fair and National Visual Arts Competition. He, however, blamed the inability to host the National Visual Arts Symposium and the distinguished lecture series last year on logistics, hoping that they will take place this year.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Raise gas price to bridge $55b funding gap, says Oando chief

    Raise gas price to bridge $55b funding gap, says Oando chief

    Nigeria has to raise its gas prices to attract an estimated $55 billion investment needed to plug persistent local shortages, the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) said yesterday.

    Its President, Bolaji Osunsanya, said a government increase of gas prices in August last year for power plants to $2.50 for 1,000 cubic feet from about $0.50 isn’t enough.

    Osunsanya, who is also the Managing Director, Oando Gas & Power Ltd., said these investments were needed to explore for more gas, set up five processing facilities at about $2 billion each and develop domestic distribution channels.

    International oil companies (IOCs) which had been export-focused due to low domestic gas prices fixed by the government, have agreed to sell off $10 billion of assets over the past three years, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Those assets are largely being taken over by local companies, such as Seplat Petroleum Development Co. and Midwestern Oil and Gas Co. Ltd.

    Oando’s $1.65 billion acquisition of ConocoPhillips’s Nigerian oil and gas assets in June made it the country’s biggest indigenous gas producer, with a production of more than 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent.

    “We should incentivise people with the best reward and encourage people to come into the fold. The strategicness of gas is what I wish Nigeria would take more seriously,” he said.

    Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, lamented that the electricity industry is being hindered by producers’ inability to raise finance and natural gas shortages, curbing companies’ capacity to boost investment in output thus plunging the country into daily blackouts.

    Head, Energy Research at Ecobank Transnational Inc., Dolapo Oni, said the gas sector has not been given the desired attention. He said: “Nigeria hasn’t given its gas sector the attention it should. From the domestic side of things, gas can transform the power sector.”

    While Nigeria was the world’s fourth-biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas in 2012, it is struggling to meet local demand for the fuel used by plants that generate at least 70 per cent of the country’s electricity needs. The country, which holds Africa’s biggest gas reserves of more than 180 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), is expanding pipeline networks so that they can service power plants and industries and not just exports.

    “We should encourage more exploitation to bring out the gas for domestic (use). A lot of it needs to come quickly because there’s an existing power side that requires a lot of gas,” Osunsanya said.