Nigeria’s gas-powered industrial ambitions got a lift on Sunday as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, visited Ondo State’s Supertec Methanol and Harmonium Plant in Ore, describing it as a “massive investment” with the potential to transform the national economy.
Ekpo said the facility would convert natural gas into methanol and fertilizer, essential for domestic production and export.
“Because of the importance of the project in your domain, we decided to come on an inspection tour,” he said. “What interests me is the tech advantage of using natural gas to produce methanol, fertilizer, and other vital products Nigeria needs at this point.”
He added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to harness Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves for industrial growth.
Why It Matters
The Ore-based project is Nigeria’s first methanol production facility, marking a significant milestone in the country’s bid to diversify its energy and industrial sectors.
Experts say methanol — a key input in fuel, chemicals, and plastics — could generate billions in revenue while reducing dependence on imports. The plant is also expected to create jobs and stimulate development in Ondo’s southern economic corridor.
Ekpo noted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) plans to leverage the project to enhance upstream gas operations, adding:
“This is what other states should emulate. Providing an enabling environment for investors will help drive Nigeria’s economy in the right direction.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa Pledges Continued Support for Investors
Welcoming the minister in Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the success of the Ore project demonstrates the effectiveness of his administration’s open-door policy for investors.
He credited the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) for removing bureaucratic barriers that often discourage private investment.
“We have to do this because it’s the only way to grow our economy and create jobs,” Aiyedatiwa said. “There’s a limit to what government can do in employment, so we focus on creating a peaceful, investment-friendly environment,
The governor revealed that other major industrial projects are underway, including a 500,000-barrel-per-day modular refinery and a petrochemical plant in Ilaje Local Government Area, as well as ethanol processing at the Ondo-Linyil Industrial Hub.
Infrastructure and Economic Expansion
Aiyedatiwa said his administration is prioritizing key infrastructure, especially the dualization of the Ore–Okitipupa–Igbokoda road, while the Federal Government handles the Akure–Ore highway.
He encouraged investors to explore Ondo’s vast mineral wealth, including gold, limestone, and bitumen, adding that the state is “marketing its natural endowments to the world.”
Industry Reactions
Economic analysts say Ondo’s growing industrial profile positions it as a new hub for energy and manufacturing in southwest Nigeria.
An investment expert, Dr. Olamide Adewunmi, told NigeriaUpdates:
“What Ondo is doing with gas and methanol is forward-thinking. If sustained, this could set a model for regional industrialization and job creation.”
What’s Next
Minister Ekpo said he would brief President Tinubu on the project’s progress ahead of its commissioning and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to collaborating with Ondo State in the gas sector.
“We will continue to support projects like this that promote value addition and industrial transformation,” he said.
