The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has assumed the presidency of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Ministerial Meeting for 2026 as the 8th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Forum opened in Moscow, Russia.
Mr Ekpo presided over proceedings at the opening of the summit on Monday at the World Trade Centre in Moscow, where leaders of major gas-producing nations gathered to strengthen cooperation and address key issues shaping the global gas industry.
Mr Ekpo assumed the presidency following his designation at the Forum’s 27th Ministerial Meeting in Doha, Qatar, in October 2025.
In October last year, Mr Ekpo emerged as president of the 2026 GECF ministerial meeting. The Managing Director of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, Philip Mshelbila, was also elected as the Secretary-General of the forum.
In his congratulatory message at the time, President Bola Tinubu expressed confidence that Mr Mshelbila and Mr Ekpo would represent Nigeria with distinction and work with other member nations to strengthen cooperation, stability, and inclusivity in the global gas market.
Mr Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said natural gas remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial growth, energy security, and economic transformation under our administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Our country shall remain a dependable voice in advancing equitable energy access and a cleaner energy future,” Mr Tinubu said.
Announcing his assumption in a post on his X handle on Monday, Mr Ekpo said: “The 8th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) opened today at the World Trade Centre in Moscow, Russia, with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, presiding over proceedings.”
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He said the summit brings together leaders of major gas-producing nations to strengthen cooperation and address key issues shaping the global gas industry.
The GECF is an intergovernmental organisation of the world’s leading gas-producing and exporting countries. Its members collectively hold close to 70 per cent of the world’s proven gas reserves and account for a major share of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade.
Nigeria, which holds Africa’s largest proven gas reserves of over 210 trillion cubic feet, is a key member of the Forum.
Mr Ekpo’s assumption of the presidency places Nigeria at the helm of the Forum’s ministerial leadership for 2026, a role that involves chairing ministerial meetings, guiding the Forum’s agenda and coordinating positions among member states on global gas markets.
