President Bola Tinubu has directed the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to ensure that the proposed National Gas Infrastructure Command Centre (NGCC) is implemented strictly under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, with no public funding or contingent liability to the Federal Government.
The Director General of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, disclosed this at the inaugural meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the NGCC. He stressed that the commission would enforce full compliance with the President’s approval and established PPP procedures.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Media and Publicity, Ifeanyi Nwoko, the NGCC must be fully financed by the private proponent without recourse to public funds or sovereign guarantees.
The directive, Ewalefoh noted, reflects the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline, private-sector-led infrastructure development, and protection of public resources.
“Technology alone does not guarantee viability. Automation does not make a project bankable. Every proposal must pass through a structured PPP framework that rigorously tests feasibility, risk allocation, affordability, and sustainability,” Ewalefoh said, adding that public interest, value for money, and regulatory compliance would guide the process.
The NGCC, approved as a PPP initiative, is designed as a centralised digital platform for real-time monitoring and coordination of Nigeria’s gas infrastructure, including pipelines, processing facilities, and commercial gas flows.
It is expected to strengthen emergency response management, enhance transparency and improve reliability in gas supply to power and manufacturing sectors.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Sen. Ekperikpe Ekpo, inaugurated the PSC and a Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) to drive implementation in line with the presidential directive.
Members of the PSC include representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the ICRC, and the project promoter.
The NGCC forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reposition Nigeria’s gas sector as a key driver of economic growth, power generation, and industrialisation under its Decade of Gas agenda.
The project is anchored on reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act, which promote private-sector participation, transparency, and improved regulatory oversight in the oil and gas industry.
Under the approved framework, the NGCC will be fully financed by the private sector, with no reliance on public funds or sovereign guarantees.
