Abstract
Nigeria possesses one of the world’s largest gas reserves at about 200 trillion cubic meters. however, effective utilisation of this resource, has been hindered by infrastructural deficiencies, inconsistent policies, and inadequate regulation. The establishment of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 aims to tackle these issues by encouraging investment, enhancing operational efficiency, and advocating for the use of domestic gas. This article thus considered the role of the government through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in advancing gas utilization in Nigeria. With the aid of the doctrinal research methodology, it was revealed that the Authority was created under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, to run the mid-downstream oil and gas industry efficiently. While the Authority’s role in advancing gas utilization has been visible through gas licensing, pricing regulations, infrastructure improvement, partnerships with private sectors and investors in embarking on gas transmission, transportation and distribution projects, the challenges of lingering gas supply shortages, vandalism and pipeline sabotage, among others, hinder the Authority from performing this role optimally. But these challenges are not insurmountable. This article therefore recommended further public-private participation, regulatory streamlining and implementation and infrastructural investments which if implemented will boost gas utilization in Nigeria creating a pathway for it to become the gas-based industrial economy it dreams of.
Etheldred E. Woha, pp 60 – 70
