By Gloria Ugwuanyi
Key figures from Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have reaffirmed their commitment to improving the efficiency of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo), following a high-level stakeholder forum held on Wednesday June 25, 2025 in Abuja. Discussions centered on digital transformation, regulatory reforms, and legislative alignment.
According to a statement by the Company, the event, hosted at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Abuja Continental Hotel, brought together representatives from federal and state institutions including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, NMDPRA, the Federal Ministries of Petroleum Resources and Environment, NIWA, LASEPA, OGEPA, traditional leaders, the Nigerian Navy, and others. The focus: strengthening cross-border operations along WAPCo’s 691-kilometer pipeline system, which spans Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana.
Reinforcing Foundational Principles and Community Engagement
In his address, Odey Simon Adamade, General Counsel of WAPCo, underscored the company’s founding principles, legal framework, and longstanding commitment to the communities it serves. He traced WAPCo’s origins to a 1982 ECOWAS initiative, which culminated in the 2003 Treaty establishing the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Project.
“The WAGP system is one of Africa’s most ambitious cross-border energy projects, comprising 691 kilometers of pipeline infrastructure stretching from Nigeria to Ghana,” Adamade noted.
Stakeholders commended WAPCo for its transparency and open communication, which they said are vital for fostering sustainable collaboration. Adamade described the forum as a “comprehensive, cross-functional engagement” involving ministries, private sector actors, traditional authorities, and security agencies working in concert to support WAPCo’s mission.
“These discussions reflect the commitment of all parties to the shared vision of synergy and integration envisioned by WAPCo’s establishment,” he said.
Community Partnership and CSR Impact
WAPCo reiterated its dedication to mutual development with host communities, citing this partnership as the foundation of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. These efforts are designed to promote sustainable growth and improve living standards.
A highlight of the event was the presence of His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Temitope Adamson, monarch of the Ajido Kingdom. His attendance symbolized the deep-rooted community integration that WAPCo has fostered since commencing commercial operations in 2011. The pipeline system has since evolved from a unidirectional gas flow to a dynamic, bi-directional network serving multiple commercial and community needs.
The WAGP system includes a 569-kilometer offshore segment of 20-inch pipelines, supported by critical infrastructure such as the Lagos Beach Compressor Station, the Tema Regulation and Metering Station, and the Itoki Regulation and Metering Station.
Legislative Reforms and Fiscal Alignment
Adamade also provided updates on ongoing legislative amendments to the West African Gas Pipeline Act across member states, which are aimed at boosting efficiency and long-term viability.
“The proposed amendments address key fiscal issues, including licensing by the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA). “Engagements are in progress with relevant ministries and parliaments, each at various stages,” Adamade said.
Regulatory Commitments and Digital Advancements
Senior officials from key regulatory agencies pledged improved support for WAPCo through digitization and enhanced service delivery.
Zach Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, represented by Lebi Victoria, Deputy Director and Head of Oil and Gas Audit, announced that revenue collection processes had been fully digitized — a reform that will directly benefit WAPCo. FIRS also committed to streamlining fiscal procedures in alignment with WAPCo’s needs.
Steve Zakka Ayuba, Senior Technical Adviser to the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, highlighted that licensing processes have been automated and that the agency now handles all enquiries through a digital platform, enhancing responsiveness and efficiency.
Advancing ECOWAS Energy Goals
The forum’s outcomes align with ECOWAS’s broader agenda of regional energy integration and economic cooperation. Through deepened stakeholder collaboration and legal modernization, WAPCo is positioned to remain a key catalyst in the region’s energy development.
