The Nigerian Government says the future transformation of the country lies in the deliberate expansion of its gas potential.
President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Minister of State, Ministry of Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva at the takeoff of this year’s International Energy Summit in Abuja made the disclosure.
Acknowledging that Nigeria is among nations that are energy poor, Buhari explained that it was because of the emphasis on creating an effective energy sector that Nigeria has launched a decade of gas.
A cross section of stakeholders in the energy industry who are attending the Nigeria International Energy Summit. 
He Timipre Sylva, Minister of Petroleum represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the opening ceremony. He assured that his administration is taking steps to lay the foundation for the speedy transformation of the country and reduce reliance on hydrocarbons.
The President said that the elevation of the energy sector holds a lot of promise for the country’ future prosperity, saying that most of the obstacles standing in the way of the development of the energy sector have been removed by the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act.
Industry leaders in the energy sector pose for a group picture at the opening of the summit in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital. Also speaking as the Minister of Petroleum, Sylva expressed confidence that the take over of marginal fields by Nigerians would fast track the pace of progress and ensure that the country reaps immense benefits from hydrocarbons before it is phased out by global trends.
The act, the Minister disclosed, has taken care of the worries of host communities and elevated the energy sector to the position of the goose that lays the golden egg.
OPEC’s Secretary General, His Excellency Sanusi Barkindo participated virtually. He spoke of the 20 million cylinder injection scheme and the gas expansion initiative.
Sylva thanked the National Assembly for its role in ensuring that the nation has a Petroleum Industry Act.
The Minister pledged that the country would be transformed into a gas producing giant.
Climate change has brought energy transition to the front burner, Sylva stressed.
Participants at the ongoing Nigerian International Energy Summit holding in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Participating virtually, the Secretary General of OPEC, Sanusi Barkindo lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for changes that are taking place in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Barkindo said Buhari has made history as an official who served under OPEC who has become his country’s Head of State.
He pledged OPEC’s continuous cooperation with Nigeria and expressed regret that he could not leave Vienna to attend the event physically in Abuja because of pressing global issues affecting the interest of the oil cartel.