The Federal Government has announced plans to expand its National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme to more than 10 million Nigerian households by 2060, as part of efforts to promote cleaner cooking across the country. The initiative, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) in partnership with the Decade of Gas Initiative, was launched in Akwa Ibom State on Thursday, making it the second state to benefit after Bayelsa State.
Programme targets one million households annually
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the programme would provide LPG access to one million households every year, with five million homes expected to benefit by 2030 and more than 10 million by 2060. In a statement issued on Friday, Ekpo urged governments, regulators, financial institutions, energy companies, development organisations, traditional rulers, communities and the media to support the initiative and ensure its long-term success.
He said the programme reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to using Nigeria’s abundant gas resources to improve living standards through cleaner cooking, healthier households, women’s empowerment, job creation and stronger local economies.
27,000 LPG cylinders for Akwa Ibom women
The Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Ed Ubong, disclosed that 27,000 filled LPG cylinders would be distributed to women across Akwa Ibom State. He added that the programme would eventually cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as part of the government’s broader clean cooking strategy.
The Decade of Gas NGLPP Programme Lead, Ramatu Abdullahi, explained that the latest state-by-state rollout uses a Depot–Hub–Node cylinder exchange system designed to make LPG refills more accessible. Under the model, refill points will be located within one to two kilometres of participating communities. Beneficiaries will also receive up to six free refills, while a digital platform will monitor cylinder movements, refills and household adoption.
Programme targets five million homes by 2030
Representing the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Rabiu Umar, the agency’s Executive Director of Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure, Francis Ogaree, praised the initiative. Ogaree identified the cylinder recirculation system, free refill support and barcode-based tracking as important measures for ensuring transparency and sustainability.
He noted that the annual target of one million households and the goal of reaching five million homes by 2030 align with Nigeria’s ambition to raise domestic LPG consumption to five million metric tonnes annually by 2030.
