Peter Uzoho
The Managing Director of Heirs Energies Limited, Mr. Osayande Igiehon has called for robust collaboration of policy makers and players across the value chains of the Nigerian energy sector in order to unlock the huge opportunities in the rural electrification market which is worth over $9.2 billion.Igiehon made the call n Lagos yesterday while speaking during a session on the last day of the Leadership Summit at this year’s Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference.
The topic of the session was “Powering Nigeria’s Future – Leveraging Gas-to-Power Solutions for Energy Security and Sustainable Development.”giehon stated: “As industry leaders, we need to collaborate like never before to scale rural electrification through distributed solar, mini-grids, and off-grid technologies. With the potential to unlock $9.2 billion annually in solar mini-grid investments, the opportunities are immense.
“However, the challenges are multifaceted—from inadequate infrastructure and regulatory bottlenecks to financing constraints. No single entity can overcome these on its own. Only a strong partnership between the public and private sectors will deliver the results we seek”.
He emphasised the need for timely action in leveraging Nigeria’s gas resources to secure the country’s energy future and drive sustainable development.He pointed out that by fostering strong collaboration between oil and gas upstream companies and power generation companies (Gencos), Nigeria could create a seamless value chain that fully unlocks the potential of the nation’s natural resources for the prosperity of all Nigerians.According to him, gas-to-power solutions are not just an option but are the mainstay of Nigeria’s energy future.
Igiehon added that the country was at a critical moment where the decisions made will shape the energy landscape for generations to come.
He explained: “At Heirs Energies, we believe gas-to-power offers the most reliable bridge to a sustainable energy future. While pursuing renewable energy remains essential, the reality is that a stable baseload energy supply is critical—and natural gas provides exactly that.
“It offers a cleaner alternative to coal and diesel, helping us cut carbon emissions while stabilizing the national grid.
“Economically, leveraging gas for power generation is imperative. It reduces our reliance on imported fuels, strengthens energy security, and fosters a vibrant domestic gas market.  This will, in turn, create jobs, attract investments, and spur growth across the entire value chain.”
Most importantly, he said gas-to-power has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of millions of Nigerians, noting that reliable electricity was not a luxury but a fundamental driver of human development, powering hospitals, schools, and businesses.
He maintained that gas-to-power was also the backbone of industrialization, innovation, and productivity, stating that dependable energy supply was the foundation upon which a more prosperous and equitable society could be built.
Igiehon acknowledged the Nigerian government’s ambitious electricity sector targets for 2030—aiming to provide access to over 90 per cent of the population, with renewable energy projected to account for more than 30 per cent of generation.
He described these goals as challenging but achievable through collaboration and resource optimization, especially with Nigeria’s natural gas reserves.
Achieving these targets, according to him, requires more than just good intentions but demands unified, decisive action from all stakeholders.
He added: “The federal government must provide a stable, transparent regulatory environment to encourage investments in gas production, infrastructure, power generation, transmission, distribution, and metering.
“The 2021 Petroleum Industry Act and the 2024 Presidential Directives are critical drivers for gas production and transportation, while the 2022 Power Sector Reform Bill opens the door for states, private organizations, and individuals to actively participate across the electricity value chain.”
“The private sector must also rise to the occasion by developing innovative solutions and providing capital for essential infrastructure—such as gas processing plants, pipelines, modern power stations, grid upgrades at national and subnational levels, and improvements in distribution networks and metering.”