Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Philps Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited, have been elected as President and Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), respectively, at the Forum’s 27th Ministerial Meeting held in Doha, Qatar. Mshelbila assumes the position from outgoing Secretary General Mohamed Hamel, who led the organization through a period of significant growth and development.
As a leading voice in global gas dialogue, the GECF unites major producers under a common goal of promoting dialogue and advancing energy security worldwide. With leadership moving from one African to another, the GECF’s selection cements Africa’s prominence in global gas discussions and is expected to support the continent’s efforts to position gas as the energy solution of the future.
Speaking on the milestone, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari said, “NNPC Ltd. is proud of what Mshelbila has achieved at Nigeria LNG, where he has worked tirelessly to transform Nigeria’s vast gas reserves into export-grade LNG, LPG, and condensates, serving domestic needs and global markets in the process,” he said.
On the emergence of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting, the NNPC GCEO, stated that the Minister has been at the forefront of efforts to harness Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for industrialization and economic development.
In a similar vein, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has congratulated the Honorable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas) and Co-Chairman of the NCDMB Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo on his recent emergence as President of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
Engr. Ogbe described the Minister’s appointment as the lead of the renowned international organization as a well-deserved recognition of his visionary leadership, deep industry expertise, and consistent drive to position Nigeria as a global gas powerhouse.
He noted that under the Minister’s stewardship, the nation has recorded significant progress in unlocking gas for prosperity through accelerated midstream development, expansion of domestic gas utilisation, and implementation of the Decade of Gas Initiative.
“The Minister’s tireless advocacy for gas as Nigeria’s transition fuel and his unwavering support for policies that enhance investor confidence and deepen value addition clearly distinguished him as a natural choice for this global role,” the Executive Secretary stated.
Engr. Ogbe has also congratulated Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited on his election as Secretary General of the GECF, describing it as another milestone that underscores Nigeria’s growing influence on the global gas stage. He commended the Minister’s leadership and strategic diplomacy, which contributed to the dual success
The African Energy Chamber Chairman said, “With African leadership at the helm of the GECF, we have the opportunity to shape global gas dialogue, advocate for fair investment, and position our gas as a cornerstone of global energy security. We thank outgoing Secretary-General Hamel, who has been a great friend and partner of the AEC and Africa. He brought Mauritania, Mozambique, Angola, and Senegal into the global gas family and championed the fight against energy poverty. With leadership moving from one African to another, the GECF will continue making gas the priority of our continent’s development,” states NJ Ayuk.
The appointments come as African nations emerge as drivers of global gas production. From established gas markets such as Nigeria, Angola, Libya, and Algeria, to emerging producers such as Senegal, Mauritania, Mozambique, and the Republic of Congo, Africa is rapidly positioning gas as a central component of the continent’s future development. Other organizations’ members include Bolivia, Iran, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Malaysia, and Peru.
