Two Nigerians Emerge as Chairman and Secretary-General of Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)
Doha, Qatar | October 24, 2025
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his exemplary leadership in the successful emergence of two distinguished Nigerians — the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as Chairman, and the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, as the Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
Describing the development as a historic milestone for Nigeria, NNPC Ltd stated that the dual appointments reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing its Gas Agenda, which seeks to harness the nation’s vast natural gas resources as a key driver of industrial growth, economic diversification, and sustainable development.
In a statement signed by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd recalled that Dr. Mshelbila was elected Secretary-General at the Forum’s 27th Ministerial Meeting held in Doha, Qatar, succeeding Algeria’s Mohamed Hamel as the fifth scribe of the global organisation. The GECF, often regarded as the “OPEC of Gas,” continues to be a leading voice in positioning natural gas as a cornerstone of global sustainable energy development.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo on his emergence as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting. Ojulari commended the Minister’s unwavering dedication to advancing Nigeria’s gas sector and for championing initiatives that promote gas as the country’s transition fuel toward cleaner and more sustainable energy.
Ojulari also lauded Dr. Mshelbila for his transformative leadership at Nigeria LNG Limited, where he successfully converted Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves into export-grade LNG, LPG, and condensates—meeting domestic demands while strengthening Nigeria’s footprint in the global energy market.
“This is a proud moment for Nigeria,” Ojulari stated. “The achievements of Minister Ekpo and Dr. Mshelbila not only reflect the quality of Nigeria’s leadership in the global energy space but also highlight President Tinubu’s vision of positioning Nigeria as a gas-powered industrial nation.”
With these landmark appointments, Nigeria further cements its position as a key player in the global gas industry, driving collaboration and innovation among gas-exporting nations for a more sustainable energy future.
