NIGERIA, ABUJA – Nigeria has again welcomed the management team of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (UTMFLNG) Limited, developers of the nation’s first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas facility, signaling renewed hope for offshore gas innovation.
During a meeting in Abuja, Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of Energy and Industry, described the project as “a technological milestone and a symbol of Nigeria’s industrial courage and ingenuity.” He said it would reinforce energy security and accelerate industrial growth across sectors.
According to the Minister, the FLNG project demonstrates how “local innovation can create global impact,” showing that Nigerian expertise can compete with global energy standards while fueling domestic industries with cleaner gas.
Enoh emphasized that the ministry remains “committed to strengthening the synergy between energy and industry to ensure every policy and partnership drives sustainable national growth.”
UTMFLNG’s facility, the first of its kind in West Africa, aims to unlock stranded offshore gas, supply global demand, and boost domestic manufacturing clusters through stable, cleaner energy. The company’s delegation reaffirmed that gas remains central to powering Nigeria’s industrial future.
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However, observers question whether another gas infrastructure project would ease or worsen household energy costs. Despite over 120 to 220 offshore gas-related companies operating in Nigeria, including operators, LNG developers, and service firms, Nigerians still pay high prices for fuel, kerosene, and cooking gas.
Economic analysts told this newspaper that without transparent pricing and fair distribution, more gas projects might not translate into cheaper energy for citizens. “What Nigerians need is access and affordability, not just more facilities,” one energy consultant said.
They argued that the government must ensure that policy synergy does not prioritize exports at the expense of local affordability, urging regulators to align production incentives with consumer welfare.
Truth Live News report that Sen. Enoh assured that collaboration with private-sector leaders like UTMFLNG will “re-engineer the gas sector to power industries, expand exports, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as an industrial hub.”
Industry experts agree the project could redefine Nigeria’s energy landscape—if its benefits are fairly distributed and operational efficiency matched with social responsibilities.