Nigeria and Libya are exploring the possibility of building a gas pipeline linking the two North African nations.

The announcement came last week during a meeting between Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Libyan Minister of Oil, Khalifa AbduAlsadik, at the 2024 Gastech Exhibition and Conference in Houston.

Ekpo said the proposed pipeline would extend from Nigeria to Libya, underscoring the meeting's goal of bolstering energy cooperation between the two countries.

"This strategic meeting aims to strengthen energy cooperation between the two nations," Ekpo said in a post on his X account.

Discussions about a regional gas pipeline between Nigeria and Libya have been ongoing for some time. In 2022, Libya's former Oil Minister suggested that the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline should route through Libya instead of Algeria.

Once completed, the 5,600-kilometer cross-border pipeline is expected to transport gas from Nigeria through 13 African nations and extend to Europe.

Nigeria has been transitioning from oil to gas due to its abundant gas reserves. The country's gas reserves are estimated to be around 202 trillion cubic feet, while its crude oil reserves are approximately 37 billion barrels.

President Bola Tinubu has also taken steps to support the country's gas sector, including signing new executive orders and inaugurating gas plants.