Tinubu: NLNG Train 7 Key to Nigeria’s Gas-Led Economic Future

• Gas exporter seeks tax, regulatory reforms as project nears completion

President Bola Tinubu has described Nigeria LNG Limited’s Train 7 Project as central to the country’s gas-led economic ambitions, saying its successful completion will boost exports, create jobs, deepen local capacity and reinforce investor confidence.

The president spoke on Wednesday at the State House in Abuja while receiving an NLNG delegation led by the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, according to a statement on Thursday.

Falade informed the President that Train 7 had surpassed 90 per cent completion and briefed him on the project’s progress, prospects for future expansion and NLNG’s broader role in Nigeria’s gas development agenda.

The discussions also covered liquefied petroleum gas pricing and accessibility, the transportation of LPG through the Bonny-Bodo Road corridor, NLNG’s contribution to public revenue, its investments in infrastructure and social-impact projects, and challenges affecting the company’s operating environment.

Tinubu congratulated Falade on his appointment, noting that he was taking charge of NLNG at a defining moment for both the company and Nigeria’s gas industry.

“I congratulate you, Leye, on your appointment. Train 7 is at the centre of our national gas agenda. Its success matters not only to NLNG, but to Nigeria’s economic future,” Tinubu said.

According to the President, the project must help translate Nigeria’s vast gas reserves into employment opportunities, export earnings, industrial expansion and sustainable economic value.

He commended the progress recorded on Train 7, describing the project as a benchmark for effective delivery, partnership, Nigerian Content development and investor confidence.

Tinubu also assured the NLNG management that the Federal Government would continue working to improve the business climate, provide greater regulatory certainty and remove obstacles hindering major oil and gas investments.

“Nigeria is open for business, but it must be business that creates value at home—building capacity, supporting communities, protecting the environment and contributing to national prosperity. NLNG must continue to lead by example,” he said.

Responding, Falade thanked the President for his administration’s support for NLNG and the wider gas industry. He pledged that the company would deliver the remaining work on Train 7 safely, efficiently and to the required standards.

“Train 7 is a strategic national undertaking. With the project now over 90 per cent complete, our immediate priority is to deliver the remaining work safely, efficiently and to the required quality, while preparing the plant for reliable and sustainable operations,” Falade said.

He added that the project would expand Nigeria’s LNG production capacity, support export growth and create more opportunities for Nigerian workers and businesses. It would also deepen local participation and generate greater long-term value from the country’s gas resources.

On domestic LPG supply, Falade restated NLNG’s commitment to improving access to cleaner cooking fuel for households and businesses.

He called for coordinated action among the Federal Government, regulators and industry operators to expand supply, improve storage and distribution infrastructure, eliminate avoidable costs and establish a more transparent and efficient LPG market.

“Improving LPG accessibility is important to Nigeria’s energy transition and to the wellbeing of millions of Nigerian households,” Falade said. “NLNG remains committed to supporting the domestic market, but improving affordability requires coordinated action across the entire LPG value chain.”

The NLNG chief also sought Tinubu’s intervention in addressing ease-of-doing-business challenges, particularly the proliferation of taxes, levies, charges and regulatory demands imposed by different government agencies and tiers of government.

He warned that multiple and sometimes conflicting fiscal and regulatory obligations increase operating costs, create uncertainty and could discourage existing and future investments.

Falade assured the President that NLNG was prepared to align more closely with the administration’s development priorities and explore additional areas of partnership with the Federal Government.

The meeting ended with both sides committing to maintain momentum as Train 7 enters its final phase and to strengthen cooperation on Nigeria’s gas development and broader economic growth.