By Kunle Odusola-Stevenson
Nigeria is steadily repositioning itself as the vanguard of Africa’s new economic awakening powered not by rhetorics, but by resources, reform, and regional leadership aspirations moderated by natural gas, good governance and greatness.
At the heart of this transformation is the convergence of visionary governance and strategic energy leadership, as underscored by the country’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and embodied in the leadership of President of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) and Africa Regional Director of the International Gas Union (IGU), Akachukwu Adeyinka Nwokedi.
Nigeria’s Vision for Africa’s Economic Rebirth
Vice President Shettima has in recent months consistently articulated a clear vision: That Nigeria will not only participate in Africa’s economic renaissance, but will lead it. He emphasizes that Africa’s growth narrative must shift from extraction of our natural resources to value creation, urging a continent-wide pivot toward intra-African trade, industrial investment, and structural reform.
In his words: “Capital follows confidence, and confidence follows governance.” It is a statement that captures the heart of Nigeria’s renewed economic strategy—anchored on institutional transparency, predictable policy, and strong sub-national governance.
The Vice President has called for state-led investment partnerships, African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)-driven integration, and digital harmonization across borders, positioning Nigeria as the anchor economy for Africa’s next industrial surge.
Nwokedi and the Gas Imperative
In parallel, Akachukwu Nwokedi—an accomplished energy executive, lawyer, and advocate—has emerged as one of the most influential figures shaping the continent’s gas diplomacy and investment momentum.
In his capacity as the President of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Nwokedi leads the nation’s foremost professional body driving the gas utilization agenda. As Africa Regional Director of the influential International Gas Union (IGU), he brings continental visibility to Nigeria’s gas narrative, ensuring that Africa’s voice resonates in the global energy transition dialogue.
Under his stewardship, the NGA continues to champion gas as the bridge between Nigeria’s hydrocarbon heritage and its sustainable future. Through advocacy, investment facilitation, and knowledge sharing, the NGA positions natural gas—not crude oil—as the catalyst for industrialization, job creation, and energy access.
“Gas remains the fuel that will industrialize Africa,” Nwokedi insists. “Nigeria’s leadership within the IGU is not symbolic, it’s strategic. We represent the aspirations of an entire continent ready to power its development with cleaner, reliable, and inclusive energy.”
Gas as the Engine of Economic Diversification
Nigeria’s vast gas resources, which is among the largest in the world, represent untapped potential for domestic transformation. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) are driving new sectors – from household energy to transportation, while advancing environmental goals and improving quality of life.
As Nwokedi noted at the recent Nigeria Liquefied and Compressed Gases Association (NLCGA) Conference in Lagos, the private sector’s growing role in expanding LPG and CNG access is evidence of how innovation and investment can fast-track the Federal Government’s ‘Decade of Gas’ objectives.
These developments are not only industrial milestones, they are instruments of inclusion, bringing cleaner energy to millions of Nigerians, while reducing dependence on biomass and imported fuels.
Bridging Policy and Performance
Yet, both Shettima and Nwokedi recognize that the journey to true diversification requires bridging the gap between policy and performance. Nigeria must translate its gas and economic policies into real infrastructure, markets, and investor confidence.
Although the challenges remain funding constraints, pricing inefficiencies, and infrastructure gaps, but these are not insurmountable.
Through disciplined execution of the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, targeted fiscal incentives, and community-focused partnerships, the path to a competitive, gas-driven economy becomes clearer.
As Nwokedi often reiterates, “The difference between aspiration and achievement is coordination—and Nigeria is learning to coordinate for growth.”
Nigeria at the Helm of Africa’s Energy Diplomacy
Nwokedi’s position within the International Gas Union elevates Nigeria’s role beyond national borders. It allows the country to shape continental cooperation, influence global policy, and share African innovations in energy transition.
This dual influence through domestic advocacy and continental diplomacy strengthens Nigeria’s credibility as Africa’s natural gas leader and as a model for aligning energy reform with governance renewal.
Through this platform, Nigeria is helping African nations adopt global best practices in pricing, safety, and sustainability, while amplifying Africa’s interests on the global energy stage.
From Vision to Velocity
Vice President Shettima’s call for governance-led growth and Nwokedi’s gas-centred leadership represent two converging pillars of one national purpose: to make Nigeria the epicentre of Africa’s economic and energy future.
Nigeria’s charge to lead Africa is no longer aspirational, it is operational. The combination of policy reform, energy strategy, and global representation positions the country to convert potential into power and ambition into achievement.
As Africa faces the defining decade of its economic transformation, Nigeria’s message is clear: Good governance fuels confidence; confidence drives investment, and investment, powered by gas, will ignite Africa’s energy greatness.
Odusola-Stevenson, an Energy Communication Expert and Public Relations Strategist, lives in Lagos.
