Nigeria Targets 5 Million Homes with Cooking Gas in 5 Years, Rolls Out Free Cylinders Nationwide
- The Nigerian government is aggressively promoting clean cooking nationwide and has begun free gas cylinder distribution nationwide
- The scheme targets about five million in the next five years, a bold move to pivot away from dirty fuels
- The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpo Ekpo, disclosed this at an event recently
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.
The Federal Government has launched a major campaign to boost Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use in Nigerian households, to transition five million homes to clean cooking energy by the year 2030.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, revealed this during the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers in Lagos.
Source: Getty Images
Gas at the centre of Tinubu’s energy vision
He said the government has already distributed gas cylinders across all six geopolitical zones—except the South-East, where rollout is still pending.
“We are empowering women and youth, promoting clean cooking with a renewed target of moving about five million homes to clean cooking by the year 2030,” Ekpo stated.
Ekpo affirmed that President Bola Tinubu's administration places natural gas at the heart of Nigeria’s energy transition strategy.
The emphasis is on using the country’s abundant gas reserves to industrialise the economy, create jobs, and improve energy access across all socio-economic groups.
He said:
“Over the past years, we have taken decisive steps in line with this vision,” noting that industrial hubs and power generators now receive regular gas supplies for their operations.
Major gas infrastructure projects underway
According to a report by Punch, to support the clean energy drive, the government is backing critical gas infrastructure projects, including the OB3 and Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipelines.
These projects are expected to deliver gas more efficiently across Nigeria, powering homes, businesses, and industrial clusters.
Ekpo commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) for its leadership role in pushing these projects forward.
Modular, digital and localised solutions
The minister highlighted efforts to promote modular and scalable solutions like mini-LNG and CNG stations to improve last-mile delivery and bring gas access to remote and underserved areas.
He also emphasised the role of technology, saying the adoption of digital tools, automation, and data-driven decision-making can revolutionise gas monitoring, distribution, and emissions management.
From tracking gas flow in pipelines to managing supply chains, emerging tech is being embraced to enhance efficiency.
Impact of rising gas prices on households
The rising cost of cooking gas in Nigeria is placing a significant financial strain on households, particularly low- and middle-income families.
As prices surge, many are forced to reduce usage or revert to less efficient and environmentally harmful alternatives like firewood or charcoal.
This not only impacts health due to indoor air pollution but also contributes to deforestation.
High gas prices also affect food preparation and nutrition, as some families cook less frequently or simplify meals to cut costs.
The economic pressure is compounding the cost-of-living crisis, making essential daily activities like cooking increasingly unaffordable for millions of Nigerians.
Local content and human capital at the core
To reduce reliance on imports, the government is investing in local manufacturing of gas infrastructure components, such as pipes and processing equipment. Ekpo noted this will strengthen Nigeria’s resilience in the energy space.
He further stated that youth and women are key to the clean energy transition.
Training, employment, and inclusion programmes are being launched to ensure Nigeria builds a technically skilled and diverse workforce to lead the country into a cleaner future.
The price of cooking gas has continued to fluctuate due to the volatility in crude oil prices.
Source: UGC
Recently, dealers and producers, including Dangote Refinery, raised the commodity's price after a brief respite.
FG takes serious action to crash cooking gas prices
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian government has halted the export of locally produced Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, effective November 1, 2024.
Ekperikpo Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), disclosed the directive.
The order seeks to prioritise domestic supply over exports to alleviate the burden of rising costs on Nigerian consumers.
This article has been updated by the head of business desk, Victor Enengedi, with additional information.
Source: Legit.ng
