To accelerate Nigeria’s transition to clean cooking energy, the Federal Government has revised its Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) adoption target, announcing plans to distribute five million LPG cylinders by 2030. This new target, up from the previous one million homes, represents a fivefold increase and reaffirms the government’s commitment to inclusive energy access, environmental preservation, and public health protection.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, during the flag-off ceremony of the North-West zone grassroots LPG adoption penetration programme and cylinder distribution initiative in Sokoto State. The programme is part of the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas strategy, launched to harness Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources for economic transformation and environmental sustainability.
According to Ekpo, the federal government aims to convert an average of one million households per annum over the next five years. “We are revising the target upwards to distribute five million LPG cylinders by Year 2030. This zone, with its vibrant communities, cultural depth, and entrepreneurial energy, plays a pivotal role in helping us achieve that target,” the minister said in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Louis Ibah.
The programme is designed to promote the use of clean cooking gas, reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal, and mitigate the associated health and environmental risks. Ekpo noted that increased LPG usage would help protect women and children from indoor air pollution—a major cause of respiratory diseases—while also creating jobs along the LPG value chain.
Furthermore, the initiative supports Nigeria’s broader environmental goals, including reducing deforestation and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. “This is not just an energy transition plan. It is a health plan, an economic plan, and an environmental preservation plan rolled into one,” Ekpo added.
The ceremony in Sokoto drew support from key stakeholders including the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III. The minister expressed gratitude for their ongoing support for energy development in the region.
Crucially, the LPG distribution initiative is being driven in partnership with private sector sponsors, including BUA Group, which is facilitating access to affordable cylinders for underserved communities. “Your contribution accelerates our mission to ensure clean cooking energy becomes a norm in Nigerian homes,” Ekpo said, acknowledging the role of public-private collaboration.
The push for mass adoption of LPG is also expected to strengthen local enterprise, as the government intends to promote the use of locally manufactured cylinders and accessories. This aligns with the government’s broader economic diversification agenda, supporting Nigerian manufacturers and distributors to scale their operations and meet rising demand.
Additionally, regulatory measures are being introduced to support the LPG expansion plan, including the proposed mandatory usage framework for public institutions, and tax incentives to attract private investment in cylinder manufacturing and LPG bottling plants.
Analysts have hailed the revised target as a significant leap towards achieving energy security and fulfilling Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7, which advocates universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.
With over 70 per cent of rural households in Nigeria still relying on biomass for cooking, the LPG penetration programme represents a crucial intervention. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods contributes to over 95,000 premature deaths annually in Nigeria.
As the Decade of Gas initiative gains momentum, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) says it will intensify sensitization campaigns, invest in infrastructure, and promote behavioural change across communities to ensure the success of the programme.
For now, the government’s pledge to deliver five million LPG cylinders by 2030 sends a strong signal of intent—positioning clean energy not just as a policy goal, but as a national priority for public health, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability.