The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has launched Revision II of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC), in a move aimed at strengthening market efficiency, improving access to gas transportation infrastructure and accelerating investment in Nigeria’s gas sector.
The Authority Chief Executive (ACE), Mallam Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, unveiled the revised framework at the opening of OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2026 in Lagos on Monday.
Speaking at the event, Umar described the Network Code as a critical instrument for ensuring transparent and non-discriminatory access to Nigeria’s gas transportation infrastructure, noting that it provides clear rules for capacity booking, gas nominations, balancing, measurement and quality standards.
According to him, the framework enhances predictability for gas shippers, investors and other market participants, creating a more transparent operating environment for the development of Nigeria’s gas industry.
He explained that Revision II builds on the original framework introduced in 2020 and the first revision in 2024, further strengthening the regulatory rules governing gas transportation and supporting the emergence of a more integrated and efficient gas market.
The revised Code is expected to reinforce the regulatory framework required to support increased participation in the gas market, improve infrastructure utilisation and encourage investment across the gas value chain.Umar emphasised that Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources offer significant opportunities for industrial development, power generation, employment creation and regional energy trade.
However, he noted that translating the country’s resource potential into sustainable economic benefits would require substantial investment in gas transportation infrastructure, processing facilities, storage and product logistics.
He stressed that effective regulation, supported by transparent market rules and predictable operating conditions, would be essential to attracting the capital needed to expand infrastructure and improve the delivery of gas to domestic and regional markets.
The launch of Revision II therefore represents a further step towards strengthening the institutional and regulatory foundations for unlocking Nigeria’s gas potential.Beyond domestic market reforms, the NMDPRA chief called for stronger regulatory collaboration among African countries to facilitate cross-border energy trade, harmonise industry standards and improve regional energy security.
Umar made the call during a panel discussion themed “Regulatory Convergence in African Oil and Gas Markets,” which featured the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority, Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, and the Director of Water, Petroleum and Electricity at The Gambia’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, Mr. Musa Njie.
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The discussion examined how regulatory cooperation could improve market efficiency, attract investment and support the development of integrated energy markets across the continent.
Umar argued that greater regulatory convergence would help remove barriers to cross-border energy transactions and create opportunities for African countries to leverage their respective energy resources more effectively.He, however, emphasised that regional cooperation must respect the responsibility of individual countries to safeguard domestic energy supplies and meet the needs of their citizens.
Reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to transparent regulation and effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, Umar said the NMDPRA would continue to engage industry stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.
He called on refiners, marketers, logistics operators, financiers and other industry participants to collaborate with the Authority in building a resilient energy sector capable of supporting domestic supply, stimulating investment and contributing to Africa’s long-term economic prosperity.
The launch of Revision II comes amid growing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s gas market and position natural gas as a major driver of industrialisation, electricity generation and regional economic integration.
For investors and industry operators, the effectiveness of the revised framework will ultimately depend on consistent implementation, adequate infrastructure investment and the ability of the regulatory system to provide predictable and transparent access to gas transportation services.
