…unveils cooking gas outreach in S/East, targets one million homes per year
Oredola Adeola
The Federal Government, through its Decade of Gas Programme, has launched a cooking gas outreach initiative across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, starting with the Southeast region.
The programme aims to reach one million households per year as part of the government’s broader strategy to expand Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) penetration nationwide.
Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), disclosed this in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, during the launch of the LPG Penetration Programme and the distribution of LPG cylinders in the South-East
At the event, the Minister expressed his delight at being in the industrious South-East to officially flag off the LPG Penetration Programme and distribute LPG cylinders, in partnership with the Imo State Government.
He described the occasion as another key milestone in the implementation of the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, championed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Highlighting the significance of clean cooking, he explained that it is more than an energy choice—it is a life-changing intervention.
The Minister further stated that for decades, many Nigerian households have relied on firewood, charcoal, and kerosene—fuel sources that pose serious health risks, degrade the environment, and place a heavy burden on women and children.
With the shift to LPG, the government aims to eliminate exposure to harmful smoke that causes respiratory diseases; reduce the time women and girls spend gathering firewood, allowing for education and economic activities; protect forests and biodiversity by lowering demand for firewood; increase household savings through efficient and reliable cooking energy and enhance home safety with modern, regulated fuel.
He emphasized that clean cooking improves health, safeguards the environment, and allows families to live with dignity and convenience.
The Minister further noted that 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).
According to him, over 17 million households in Nigeria still depend on biomass for cooking, one of the leading causes of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.
He added that transitioning these households to LPG will significantly reduce carbon emissions while protecting forests and combating climate change.
He highlighted that the programme supports Nigeria’s broader energy transition by, replacing high-emission fuels with low-carbon alternatives; reducing pressure on the natural environment; and promoting a cleaner, more climate-resilient future for generations to come.
The Minister emphasized that clean cooking is a powerful tool for decarbonization, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
He noted that over the past months, the programme has been launched across all geopolitical zones—starting in the North-Central, moving to the South-South, South-West, North-East, North-West, and now proudly reaching the South-East.
The Minister stated that under the Decade of Gas initiative, the government aims to transition 5 million Nigerian households to clean cooking gas by 2030.
Acknowledging the role of strong partnerships in the programme’s success, he specially commended the Imo State Government for embracing the initiative with enthusiasm and for providing the enabling environment for the day’s activities.
The Minister also expressed gratitude to the Coordinator of the Decade of Gas Programme and dedicated private sector partners, whose technical expertise, logistics support, and unwavering commitment have driven the nationwide success of the programme.
Addressing women and youth beneficiaries, he said, “The cylinders you receive today are tools of empowerment. Clean cooking creates opportunities across the value chain, from cylinder distribution and maintenance to retail supply and safety training.”
He added that by expanding LPG use, the programme is creating jobs, stimulating local enterprise, and fostering a stronger, safer, and more economically vibrant region.
The Minister noted that the South-East, known for its entrepreneurship and innovation, stands to benefit significantly from the emerging opportunities along the gas value chain.
He praised the initiative, saying, “As we flag off the LPG Penetration Programme in the South-East today, let us move forward with a shared commitment to health, safety, environmental stewardship, and national progress.”
The Minister assured that the Federal Government, through NMDPRA, will continue to intensify LPG safety education and expand last-mile distribution networks to ensure every household can adopt LPG safely and confidently.
Hon. Ekpo stated, “Together, we are building a Nigeria where no child grows up inhaling harmful smoke, where women cook with dignity and safety, where forests are preserved, and where gas becomes a true catalyst for national prosperity.”
