The Federal Government has intensified high-level negotiations on a proposed $20 billion transcontinental gas pipeline project aimed at exporting Nigeria’s abundant natural gas to European markets.
Discussions, which recently took place in London, United Kingdom, are part of broader efforts to position Nigeria as a strategic energy partner to Europe while unlocking long-term economic gains from its vast gas reserves.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, the ambitious project is designed as a major gas corridor capable of transporting up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually.
The pipeline is expected to originate from Nigeria’s southern gas fields, pass through Chad and Libya, and extend subsea to Sicily, Italy, before feeding into the wider European energy network.
Ekpo described the engagement with stakeholders as both timely and historic, emphasising that Nigeria is deliberately positioning itself to attract significant investments into its gas sector.
He noted that recent reforms, including the Petroleum Industry Act and executive directives from President Bola Tinubu, have created a more favourable investment climate.
“Nigeria is set for investors to take advantage of its natural gas potential. With the Petroleum Industry Act and the president’s executive orders, a conducive environment has been established to attract investments into the sector,” Ekpo stated.
He further stressed the importance of maximising Nigeria’s natural resources to drive economic development and improve livelihoods, adding that the realisation of the project would largely depend on securing adequate financing.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice President for Gas, Power and New Energies at NNPC Limited, Olalekan Ogunleye, reaffirmed the national oil company’s commitment to supporting the initiative through policy alignment and investor-friendly strategies.
Ogunleye highlighted that NNPC’s Gas Master Plan aligns with the Federal Government’s gas-led economic agenda, aimed at boosting investments across the entire value chain.
“NNPC is focused on creating investable opportunities, removing operational bottlenecks, and building strong partnerships with credible investors. We are ready for business,” he said.
The project is being spearheaded by Netoil Inc., whose Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Roger Tamraz, described the pipeline as both commercially viable and strategically critical to Europe’s energy diversification goals.
He cited strong demand projections and viable financing frameworks as key drivers of the project’s feasibility.
Other stakeholders also underscored the broader benefits of the initiative. The Chief Executive Officer of Unicorn, Alain Bolo, noted that the pipeline could significantly reduce gas flaring in Nigeria while strengthening the country’s position as a leading gas supplier to Europe.
Similarly, Netoil’s Project Director, Henry Erimodafe, described the initiative as a “strategic win-win,” capable of generating employment opportunities, attracting investments, and delivering sustained economic value.
Although the pipeline remains in its early development phase, it is being promoted by a consortium of international energy players and will undergo extensive technical, regulatory, and commercial evaluations before implementation.
Industry stakeholders expressed optimism that, if successfully executed, the project could redefine Nigeria’s role in the global energy market and deepen its energy partnership with Europe.
