Stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy and environmental sectors have reiterated the urgent need to transition to liquefied petroleum gas for clean cooking and sustainable energy solutions.
At the sixth West Africa LPG Expo in Lagos, experts advised that embracing LPG was critical in addressing health risks, environmental degradation, and energy poverty in the country.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, represented by Engineer Abel Iyege, emphasised the government’s commitment to making LPG a key driver of Nigeria’s energy transition.
“The Nigerian government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, remains resolute in advancing LPG as a major component of our national energy mix. Our Decade of Gas Initiative is fostering increased gas adoption for domestic, commercial, and industrial use, ensuring energy accessibility, affordability, and sustainability,” Ekpo said.
He reiterated that the government has initiated policies like tax waivers on LPG imports and equipment, streamlined importation processes for cylinders, and an ongoing pricing framework under the Petroleum Industry Act to ensure stability and possible price reductions.
He also called for increased investment in LPG infrastructure across West Africa, stressing the need for efficient supply chains and improved safety standards.
The Deputy President of the Nigeria Liquefied and Compressed Gas Association, Lanre Baiyewu, underscored LPG’s transformative impact in Nigeria and across the region.
“We have seen firsthand how LPG improves lives—from cleaner cooking in rural communities to reduced deforestation and lower respiratory illnesses. Our association has driven market growth from 50,000 tonnes to over 1.5 million tonnes, and now, we are moving into the natural gas space to deepen gas utilisation,” Baiyewu said.
He acknowledged challenges such as infrastructure gaps, policy inconsistencies, and affordability concerns but reaffirmed the NLCGA’s commitment to scaling up LPG adoption beyond cooking, including its use in transportation and agriculture.
The Second Vice President of the Nigerian Gas Association, Olufisayo Duduyemi, emphasised the need for a harmonised regional approach.
“West Africa is at a critical juncture in its energy transition. With nearly 40 per cent of the population still reliant on biomass, shifting to LPG will reduce carbon emissions, improve public health, and drive economic growth,” he stated.
Duduyemi mentioned that LPG consumption has risen from 50,000 metric tonnes in 2007 to over 1.3 million metric tonnes in 2023.
However, he noted that over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s LPG supply is still imported, urging further investments in domestic production and storage infrastructure.
Delivering a keynote address, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted the disproportionate impact of outdated cooking methods on women and children.
“Women are the heartbeat of the household. They carry the weight of cooking responsibilities and, as a consequence, suffer the greatest health risks due to biomass fuels like wood and charcoal,” she stated.
The minister noted that traditional cooking methods not only release harmful pollutants but also contribute to deforestation and climate change.
To address this, the minister announced the establishment of a steering committee for the Nigerian Women to Revitalise, Scale Up, and Empowerment Initiative, which aims to accelerate the adoption of LPG cooking solutions.
“This committee will lead efforts to transition millions of households from biomass to clean cookstoves, empower women through carbon incentives, and promote sustainable practices,” she said.
She emphasised the need for local investment in clean cooking solutions to ensure accessibility and affordability.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy, Abiodun Ogunleye, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe, reiterated Lagos State’s commitment to LPG adoption.
Ogunleye stated that as Nigeria’s most industrialised state and commercial hub, Lagos accounts for over 40 per cent of the nation’s energy consumption.
To meet the energy needs of over 26 million residents while reducing environmental impact, he noted that Lagos has made gas a cornerstone of its energy transition strategy.
According to the commissioner, less than 25 per cent of Nigerians have access to clean cooking, leaving over 75 per cent reliant on solid fuels like firewood and charcoal.
This, he said, contributes to deforestation, indoor air pollution, and over 70,000 deaths annually in Nigeria due to household air pollution.
“Lagos is converting public transport buses and government vehicles to compressed natural gas and expanding LPG access to households. Our goal is to ensure that no household or business is left behind in the clean energy transition,” Ogunleye added.
