STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES EKPERIKPE EKPO AS PRESIDENT OF MINISTERIAL MEETING of GECF, PHILIP MSHELBILA ON ELECTION AS SECRETARY-GENERAL

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates Dr Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), on his election as Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) at the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum held in Doha, Qatar.

The President also congratulates the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on his emergence as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting, a development that will further consolidate Nigeria’s leadership in global gas diplomacy.

President Tinubu is confident that Dr Mshelbila and Minister Ekpo will represent Nigeria with distinction and work with other member nations to strengthen cooperation, stability, and inclusivity in the global gas market.

" The Nigerian government is proud of Mshelbila’s election as secretary-general and Ekpo's emergence as president of the GECF Ministerial meeting, as the two positions reflect the international community's confidence in Nigeria’s leadership and technical expertise in the global gas sector.

"Natural gas remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial growth, energy security, and economic transformation under our administration's Renewed Hope Agenda. Our country shall remain a dependable voice in advancing equitable energy access and a cleaner energy future", President Tinubu says. 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy)

State House, Abuja

October 23, 2025