LPG Penetration Programme Expands to Southeast Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the expansion of its Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) penetration program, aiming to transition one million homes to clean cooking gas annually. The program, launched in the Southeast region, is part of the government’s Decade of Gas initiative, which seeks to reduce the country’s reliance on biomass and promote the use of cleaner energy sources.

According to the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, the program is a milestone in the implementation of the government’s initiative, championed by President Bola Tinubu. The minister noted that clean cooking is not just an energy choice, but a life-changing intervention that can improve health, protect the environment, and enable families to live with dignity and convenience.

The program aims to eliminate exposure to dangerous smoke that causes respiratory diseases, reduce time spent by women and girls in gathering firewood, and protect forests and biodiversity. The government also hopes to increase household savings through efficient and reliable cooking energy and enhance safety in homes with modern, regulated fuel.

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Clean Cooking Agenda and contributes directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The minister noted that over 17 million households in Nigeria still depend on biomass for cooking, which is one of the largest contributors to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

By transitioning these households to LPG, the government aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions while safeguarding the country’s forests and climate. The program has already been launched in other geopolitical zones, including the North-Central, South-South, South-West, North-East, and North-West.

The minister expressed appreciation for the strong partnerships that have driven the success of the program, particularly the Imo State Government, which has provided an enabling environment. He also acknowledged the Coordinator of the Decade of Gas Programme and dedicated private sector partners, whose technical support, logistics capacity, and commitment have been instrumental in the program’s success.

The government plans to continue intensifying LPG safety education and expanding last-mile distribution networks to ensure that every household can adopt LPG safely and confidently. The ultimate goal is to build a Nigeria where no child grows up inhaling harmful smoke, where women cook with dignity and safety, and where gas becomes a catalyst for national prosperity.