Oil & Energy
Ekpo, , Mshelbila Elected Gas Exporting Countries Forum Chiefs
Nigerian duo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo and Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited (NLNG), Dr. Philip Mshelbila, have emerged the President and Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) respectively.
Ekpo emerged as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting, with Tuggar describing these dual milestones as clear testaments to President Bola Tinubu’s proactive foreign policy engagements and his strategic vision to restore Nigeria’s influence in global energy diplomacy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He further highlighted the pivotal diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in support of Nigeria’s candidature through Nigeria’s missions to all GECF member states, formally launching the campaign, and its engagement with all African member states requesting unified support for Nigeria’s candidature.
“Nigeria’s missions were also activated to engage and lobby voting members, in close coordination with bilateral engagements conducted at key summits such as the BRICS Summit (Brazil) and the African Union 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (Malabo, Equatorial Guinea),” the statement added.
The statement revealed that the process also benefited from high-level political backing from the Presidency, ensuring Nigeria’s candidature received broad-based support.
Tuggar commended Mshelbila and Minister Ekpo for bringing stellar credentials and experience to their new international roles, describing their elections as “victories not only for Nigeria but for Africa’s collective voice in global energy governance.”
He expressed confidence that both men will strengthen the GECF’s role in driving global energy transition, promoting equitable resource management, and advancing sustainable development.
The minister reaffirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to continued aligning diplomatic engagements with President Tinubu’s broader vision of a reformed, respected, and economically vibrant Nigeria, whose foreign policy continues to deliver tangible benefits for its citizens.