Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has been elected chairman of the West African Gas Pipeline Committee of Ministers, taking over the regional leadership role during a crucial period for energy cooperation among coastal states in West Africa, Dailypost.com.gh can reveal.
The appointment was made at the recently concluded Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), held in Accra. The meeting brought together ministerial representatives from Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Nigeria—countries linked by the 678-kilometre transnational gas pipeline operated by the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo).
Ekpo will serve a one-year term as chairman, in accordance with the provisions of the WAGP Treaty.
Speaking after his election, Ekpo expressed gratitude to his counterparts for the confidence placed in him and pledged to use the role to advance shared energy interests in the region. “I am deeply honoured by this responsibility,” he said. “My commitment is to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to member nations, improve profitability for shareholders, and enhance unity and cooperation within the bloc.”
The West African Gas Pipeline, which originates from Nigeria and extends to Benin, Togo, and Ghana, plays a pivotal role in the sub-region’s energy ecosystem—supporting electricity generation and industrial development. For Ghana in particular, the pipeline has been a vital conduit for energy supply, especially during periods of generation shortfall.
Ekpo emphasised the strategic value of the pipeline and the importance of keeping gas flowing reliably across borders. “This is not just about gas. It’s about energy security, economic growth, and deeper regional integration,” he noted.
Following the ministerial meeting in Accra, Ekpo paid a courtesy call on Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. During the visit, he reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with Ghana in the gas sector and assured President Mahama that Abuja remains resolute in addressing any outstanding issues concerning gas deliveries under the WAGP framework.
While lauding the partnership between the two countries, Ekpo also urged Ghanaian authorities to expedite their financial obligations tied to gas supply agreements, noting that such cooperation is vital to the continued success of the regional project.
The WAGP was commissioned to bolster regional cooperation through the supply of natural gas to coastal countries, replacing costlier and less environmentally friendly fuel sources. The initiative has been lauded as a model of cross-border infrastructure collaboration under the broader West African energy integration framework spearheaded by ECOWAS.
Ghana, which is both a shareholder and beneficiary of the pipeline, has increasingly relied on Nigerian gas to complement its domestic generation capacity. As energy demands rise in the sub-region, the smooth operation of the WAGP remains essential to economic development goals and industrial expansion.
With Ekpo now at the helm, stakeholders are hopeful that his leadership will yield tangible outcomes in terms of supply stability, regulatory harmonisation, and strategic investment in the pipeline’s sustainability.
