Ekpo Elected WAGP Ministers’ Committee Chairman

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has been elected Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP). The WAGP Committee oversees the 1,033-km pipeline linking Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana.

Ekpo was appointed WAGP Chairman during the 41st meeting of the Committee of Ministers of WAGP in Accra, Ghana, on May 5.

The meeting brought together energy ministers from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, participating countries in the WAGP project. In line with the provisions of the WAGP Treaty, Ekpo’s tenure as WAGP Chairman is for one year.

John Abdulai Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Paulin Kingnide Akponna, Minister of Petroleum and Energy of the Benin Republic, and Paul Mawusi Kakatsi, Minister of State for Mines and Energy Resources, Togo, also attended the WAGP meeting.

Upon his election, Ekpo pledged to prioritise uninterrupted gas supplies to member nations and customers. He also pledged to ensure project profitability for shareholders and promote unity within the ECOWAS bloc.

WAGP Committee of Ministers

Ekpo’s appointment as Chairman of the WAGP Committee of Ministers means that he will serve on the top governing body of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority.

The Committee, comprised of the energy ministers from the four participating countries — Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Benin — plays a vital role in shaping West Africa’s energy landscape.

The Committee sets policy guidelines for the WAGP, serves as an arbitrator for any disputes, and oversees the compliance of WAGP operations.

About the West African Gas Pipeline

The West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) is a natural gas pipeline that transports natural gas from Nigeria to neighbouring countries — Benin, Togo, and Ghana — for electricity generation and industrial development. The gas is transported via the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) to the Lagos Beach terminal, where it enters the WAGP for distribution to Benin, Togo, and Ghana.

Key Features of the WAGP:

• Length: Approximately 678 kilometres
• Pipeline Route: It starts in Escravos, Nigeria, then runs offshore through Benin and Togo, ending in Takoradi, Ghana.
• Capacity: 460 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd)
• Gas Suppliers: Nigeria (via the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System – ELPS)
  • Escravos Gas Plant (EGP): Operated by Chevron
  • Utorogu Gas Plant: Operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd
  • Oben Gas Plant: Operated by Seplat
  • Odidi Gas Plant: Operated by Neconde
• Gas Offtakers: Ghana, Togo, and Benin
• Operational Entity: West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo)
  • Chevron (lead partner)
  • Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited
  • Ghana National Petroleum Corporation
  • Société Beninoise de Gaz S.A.
  • Société Togolaise de Gaz S.A.
• Regulatory Oversight: West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA)
• Primary Use: Electricity generation (70%), industrial fuel (30%)

Significance of Ekpo’s Election as WAGP Committee Chairman

The WAGP is critical for supplying gas to power plants in Togo, Ghana, and Benin for electricity generation and as feedstock for gas-based industries.

Therefore, Ekpo’s leadership will push for fiscal reforms and more robust compliance from partner nations to sustain the pipeline’s operations.

He is also expected to resolve outstanding issues related to the gas supply to Togo, Benin, and Ghana. Pipeline vandalism, ageing infrastructure, and militant attacks frequently disrupt gas supply from Nigeria.

As Africa’s largest gas reserves holder, Ekpo’s chairmanship reinforces Nigeria’s leadership regarding West Africa’s energy security.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest natural gas producer, with proven gas reserves estimated to be over 206 trillion cubic feet (TCF). This tremendous resource base has positioned Nigeria as a key player in neighbouring countries’ gas supply chains.