The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the completion of the multi-billion-dollar Brass Gas Projects in Bayelsa State, underscoring the initiative as a key driver of Nigeria’s industrialisation through the strategic use of natural gas.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated this on Thursday at a two-day All-Party Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Brass Gas Projects in Abuja.
According to a statement by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, Ekpo noted that the project supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions natural gas as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy transition, economic diversification, and industrial development.
He explained that the projects, comprising the Brass Methanol Plant, Gas Processing Plant, and Brass Free Zone Infrastructure, will collectively form the core of the proposed Brass Oil and Gas City, envisioned as a model for gas-driven industrial development across Nigeria.
“The Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) remains fully committed to supporting the Brass Projects through policy facilitation, regulatory coordination, and stakeholder engagement,” Ekpo said.
“We are particularly focused on ensuring that frameworks such as gas supply and offtake agreements, licensing, and infrastructure integration are streamlined and bankable.”
The minister stated that the workshop was organised to harmonise stakeholder interests, address outstanding challenges, and establish a clear roadmap for achieving financial closure and commencing project execution.
He noted that the successful implementation of the Brass Gas Projects would generate significant economic and social gains for the Niger Delta region through job creation, infrastructure expansion, and community empowerment, while enhancing Nigeria’s position in the global gas and petrochemical markets.
Ekpo also praised the collaboration among Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company Limited, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Renaissance Joint Venture, and Afreximbank, describing their partnership as a model example of effective public-private sector cooperation.
“The Federal Government, through my ministry, will continue to provide all necessary policy and regulatory support to bring the Brass Projects to fruition,” he assured.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company Limited, Ben Okoye, commended the government’s renewed commitment, noting that the Brass Methanol and Gas Processing Plants would generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, promote technology transfer, and stimulate the growth of ancillary industries across the Niger Delta.
“These projects symbolise the productive collaboration between government, investors, and host communities. We must remain focused on achieving a timely financial close,” Okoye said.
Conceived over a decade ago, the Brass Methanol Project is a $3.6 billion gas monetisation and industrialisation initiative aimed at converting Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources into methanol and other petrochemical products.
Situated on Brass Island in Bayelsa State, the project is designed to process more than 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day into 10,000 metric tonnes of methanol daily.
Upon completion, the facility is expected to substantially increase Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation, curb gas flaring, and boost non-oil export earnings.
Although the project had experienced delays stemming from funding challenges and investor uncertainty, it has regained momentum under the Tinubu administration’s Decade of Gas policy framework.
