Nigeria’s Energy Diplomacy Yields Results as Mshelbila Elected GECF Secretary-General
Oru Leonard
Nigeria’s growing influence in global energy diplomacy has been further cemented with the election of Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), as the Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). This development comes on the heels of the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the GECF held in Doha, Qatar, where Nigeria also secured the presidency of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting for Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas).
Reacting to this development, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, attributed the success to the country’s sustained energy diplomacy and strategic engagement led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This outcome is the product of deliberate, quiet diplomacy and Nigeria’s sustained engagement with fellow gas-exporting nations,” Ambassador Tuggar stated.
The election of Dr. Mshelbila and the appointment of Minister Ekpo reflect Nigeria’s commitment to promoting cooperation, market stability, and inclusivity across the gas value chain. Ambassador Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria’s growing role within the GECF underscores the country’s centrality to shaping the future of sustainable energy.
This development is expected to yield positive impact on Nigeria’s energy sector, as Dr. Mshelbila and Minister Ekpo work closely with other member states to deepen cooperation, strengthen market stability, and advance a balanced, inclusive, and sustainable global gas market.
