The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) and Aradel Holdings Plc have called for a more competitive and liberalised gas market, urging the adoption of willing-buyer, willing-seller principles to accelerate investment and development in Nigeria’s gas sector.
The call followed a courtesy visit by an NGA delegation to Aradel Holdings in Lagos, where both organisations explored opportunities for stronger collaboration and discussed policy and infrastructure challenges affecting the industry.
Leading the delegation, NGA President, Mrs Yetunde Taiwo, highlighted the association’s advocacy activities, capacity-building programmes and professional development initiatives. She also sought Aradel’s support through the participation of its subject matter experts in the association’s training and professional development programmes.
Responding, Aradel Holdings’ General Manager, Commercials, Mr Olanrewaju Daramola, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to developing local expertise and expressed its readiness to support the initiatives.
A major focus of the engagement was the implementation of critical provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), particularly those relating to gas pricing, distribution, gas flaring, pipeline infrastructure and the funding and implementation of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan.
The regulatory responsibilities of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) also featured prominently in the discussions.
On industry advocacy, Taiwo emphasised the importance of sustained engagement with government and regulatory institutions to promote policies capable of creating an enabling environment for the growth of the gas sector.
Daramola, however, stressed that Aradel should be directly involved in such initiatives, rather than merely encouraging the association to pursue them.
He also advocated stronger cooperation among industry associations, including the Oil Producers Trade Section, Independent Petroleum Producers Group, Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria and the NGA.
According to him, a united industry position would strengthen engagements with government and regulatory authorities while ensuring that the sector’s concerns receive adequate attention.
As part of efforts to develop practical solutions to persistent industry challenges, participants proposed establishing an NGA technical study group to examine critical issues, formulate evidence-based policy positions and make recommendations to government and relevant regulatory agencies.
The expansion of gas pipeline infrastructure across the country was also identified as a priority, given its importance to improving gas distribution, accessibility and utilisation.
Towards the end of the meeting, Taiwo briefed the Aradel delegation on the association’s upcoming activities, including its 2026 Annual General Meeting, the NGA Legal Forum and the 2027 NGA International Conference and Exhibition.
The engagement underscored the importance of stronger partnerships between industry stakeholders in addressing regulatory, infrastructure and investment challenges and unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s gas resources.