The Women in Energy Network (WIEN), has said that ascension of Dr. Philip Mshelbila, as Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo’s emergence as President of the 2026 GECF, validates Nigeria’s continued efforts to strengthen investment, infrastructure, and innovation across its gas sector.
The WIEN, Africa’s leading advocate for gender inclusion and capacity development in the energy sector, described both appointments as a resounding affirmation of Nigeria’s leadership and credibility in the global gas community.
President of WIEN, Mrs. Eyono Fatai-Williams, hailed the dual achievements as a strong vote of confidence in Nigeria’s technical competence, vision, and growing influence within the international gas industry.
“The emergence of Minister Ekpo as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting and the election of Dr. Mshelbila as Secretary-General represent a major vote of confidence in Nigeria’s strategic role in shaping the global gas agenda,” Mrs. Fatai-Williams stated, adding that “these achievements call attention to our nation’s technical depth, visionary leadership, and commitment to promoting cooperation, inclusivity, and stability across the gas value chain.”
WIEN emphasized that the twin appointments validate Nigeria’s continued efforts to strengthen investment, infrastructure, and innovation across its gas sector.
Mrs. Fatai-Williams noted that Nigeria continues to demonstrate strong resolve in positioning natural gas as a catalyst for economic growth, industrialization, and sustainable development.
“Dr. Mshelbila’s election as GECF Secretary-General is a proud moment for Nigeria and Africa. His wealth of experience and steady leadership at NLNG will bring value-driven collaboration and renewed purpose to the GECF,” she said. “His appointment is a testament to excellence, consistency, and technical brilliance.”
Mrs Fatai-Williams highlighted that Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) is a proud corporate member of WIEN, upholding the values and aspirations of the Network through its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the advancement of women in the energy industry.
She declared that Dr Mshelbila’s outstanding professional and leadership pedigree reinforces WIEN’s connection to NLNG and emphasizes the organization’s role in building on shared vision of fueling home cooking with LPG and creating an industry that harnesses full human capacity irrespective of gender in delivering energy to homes and businesses.
“NLNG’s consistent support for professional growth and gender balance reflects the spirit of WIEN’s mission to build a more inclusive and innovative energy sector,” she added.
Reiterating WIEN’s mission to promote inclusivity and sustainability across the energy industry, Mrs. Fatai-Williams stressed that natural gas remains central to Nigeria’s industrial transformation and energy security.
“As a nation and as a continent, we remain committed to advancing gas as the bridge fuel for industrialization, job creation, and climate balance,” she said. “These new global roles for Minister Ekpo and Dr. Mshelbila reaffirm Nigeria’s standing as a trusted and forward-looking partner in the global energy dialogue.”
WIEN expressed confidence that both leaders will represent Nigeria with distinction, working with other member nations to strengthen cooperation, stability, and inclusivity within the global gas market.
“Their elections reflect the international community’s confidence in Nigeria’s leadership and technical expertise in the global gas sector,” Mrs. Fatai-Williams concluded. “Natural gas remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial growth, energy security, and economic transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Nigeria will continue to be a dependable voice in advancing equitable energy access and a cleaner energy future.”
In other news,
Countries in Europe are sharply divided on set target period to reduce greenhouse emissions.
The EU summit this week debated how to bridge the divide within the bloc regarding interim 2040 emission-reduction targets as the European Union insists on becoming a net-zero area by 2050.
The EU member states however remain divided over the proposal of the European Commission to officially endorse setting a 2040 climate target to reduce the EU’s net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90% by 2040, relative to 1990.
The draft for the EU summit of the bloc’s leaders this week included a so-called “revision clause,” opening the door to potentially weakening the 2035-2040 emission targets if green energy fails to meet expectations, according to draft documents prepared for the summit seen by Reuters.
Some countries, including the Nordic EU member states, are pressing for adopting the 90 per cent emission cut target by 2040, but many central and eastern European members argue there should be room for leeway, exemptions, and future revisions of the targets.
Earlier this week, the EU environment and climate ministers delayed, yet again, a decision on the 2035-2040 climate targets, weeks ahead of next month’s COP30 global climate summit in Belem, Brazil.
“The EU stands on a strong European mandate for COP30. We must leave Belém with a clear path forward to keep 1.5 within reach,” Lars Aagaard, Denmark’s Minister for energy, climate and utilities, said this week.
However, the three biggest EU economies – Germany, France, and Italy – as well as Hungary and Slovakia are resisting an official rigid target, fearing their industries would further lose competitiveness, Euronews reports.
The European Commission and the EU face growing calls from within and from top business partners, such as top LNG exporters the U.S. and Qatar, to prioritize economies and industries instead of climate goals and emissions targets.
The EU will seek to address criticism that a new emissions trading system for fuel combustion in buildings and road transport will have unbearable costs for consumers by introducing additional measures to lower these costs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a recent letter to EU leaders.
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