Pipeline security and energy sustainability remain at the heart of Nigeria’s drive toward an energy-secure future. From November 11 to 12, 2025, leading industry figures and energy professionals converged at the Abuja Continental Hotel for the Nigerian International Pipeline Technology and Security Conference (NIPITECS) to explore the theme Building Robust Pipeline Systems for the Decade of Gas and Beyond.
The keynote address by the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr. Ed Ubong, underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to transition from being merely a gas-endowed nation to a gas-driven economy that fuels national development. He emphasized that realizing the full potential of Nigeria’s natural gas resources requires deliberate investment in sustainable energy infrastructure, particularly pipelines, which form the critical link between gas in the ground and gas in the economy.
Mr. Ubong reminded participants that the Decade of Gas initiative was conceived to reposition gas as Nigeria’s transition fuel and as the foundation of the country’s economic transformation. As we navigate this pivotal decade, he noted that the imperative is clear: to build robust pipeline networks that connect gas supply to demand and bridge the gap between national ambition and economic opportunity, both now and in the years ahead.
His insightful address highlighted that gas must flow from source to demand centers, referencing key projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, which will enable gas supply to the northern region, and the OB3 Pipeline, which connects gas to the western corridor and beyond. Looking beyond 2030, Mr. Ubong urged stakeholders to envision a fully integrated regional gas network that links domestic supply to neighboring markets across western and northern Africa, unlocking shared prosperity through energy connectivity.
Representing the Chairman/GCEO, Engr. Emeka Okwuosa (CON), on the keynote technical presentation titled Turning Domestic Strength into Global Leadership through the Oilserv Lens, the Group Business and Commercial Development Manager, Engr. Cheta Okwuosa reflected on how indigenous innovation is transforming local capacity into global competitiveness. He showcased Oilserv’s key projects, including the Pipeline 40 inches by 303 km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas and the 48-inch by 64 kilometers OB3 Pipeline, both of which demonstrate Oilserv’s role in delivering strategic national assets that advance Nigeria’s energy future.
Engr. Cheta noted that Oilserv’s journey from a local enterprise to a continental engineering powerhouse mirrors Nigeria’s broader ambition to translate domestic capability into global relevance. With 19 major projects totaling over 900 kilometers of pipelines, 28 above-ground facilities, and numerous complex installations, Oilserv has built a strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and resilience.
He emphasized that Africa’s greatest export in the coming decade will not be crude oil or natural gas, but technical competence. With a workforce that is more than 99 percent indigenous, Oilserv is developing a new generation of Nigerian engineers and technicians trained to global standards and capable of executing world-class projects anywhere in Africa.
Through digitalization, lean processes, and strong partnerships with international technology firms, Oilserv continues to deliver results that rival global EPCIC leaders. This alignment of local expertise and global collaboration has positioned the company at the forefront of Africa’s infrastructure renaissance, with footprints extending to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Benin.
Engr. Cheta concluded that Oilserv’s story is not just one of success but a roadmap for African industrialization. The company’s domestic strength has been proven through delivery and resilience, its global ambition is driven by strategy and partnerships, and its purpose remains to power Africa’s growth through sustainable infrastructure built by Africans for the world.
As Engr. (Dr.) Emeka Okwuosa, CON, aptly stated, “The future of African energy is being built by Africans, for the world.” The blueprint is clear, the potential is real, and the time is now to turn Africa’s domestic strength into global leadership.
Contributing to the theme and discussions, Hon. Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), National Assembly, Abuja, delivered a brilliant goodwill address that expanded on the theme.
He emphasized that for Nigeria to achieve a successful Decade of Gas and beyond, strong, modern, and efficient pipeline systems are essential to channel the nation’s abundant natural resources into industrial growth, energy security, and sustainable socio-economic development.
Hon. Okojie highlighted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 provides clarity across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the industry, assigning distinct legal and regulatory responsibilities to each. He noted that strict adherence to these provisions ensures a comprehensive and integrated approach to Nigeria’s energy development, an area in which pipelines remain central.
This underscores that pipeline systems are not merely operational assets but are formally recognized within the national legislative framework as fundamental to Nigeria’s gas infrastructure. Therefore, establishing a robust and resilient pipeline network is more imperative than ever to ensure a smooth and sustainable energy transition.
The Nigerian Pipeline Technology and Security Conference highlighted that the future of the nation’s energy sector depends on secure, sustainable, and efficiently managed pipeline systems. As industry leaders, policymakers, and indigenous companies continue to collaborate, Nigeria is well-positioned to leverage its gas resources not just for domestic development but also as a driving force for regional economic growth. The discussions and insights shared at the conference reaffirmed that building robust pipelines today is foundational to a resilient, interconnected, and globally competitive Nigerian energy landscape for tomorrow.