In its drive to expand the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, the Nigerian government has set a target of reaching at least 5 million households by 2030.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo said the drive has already enabled over one million households to switch to LPG as their primary cooking fuel.
Ekpo, who spoke at the Sub-Saharan African Roundtable on Methane Emissions held in Abuja on Monday, stressed that the target of reaching at least 5 million households by 2030 aligns with the government’s clean energy transition goals.
Gas is considered a cleaner form of energy, supporting the broader objective of boosting environmental sustainability.
Apart from efforts to deepen LPG as a cooking fuel at homes, Ekpo also stated that there are concrete plans by the government to accelerate the reduction of methane emissions and eliminate gas flaring in the country.
Speaking at the event on the theme, “Turning Methane Pledges into Action,” Ekpo highlighted measures the government has adopted to achieve its methane-reduction and energy-transition goals under national and global commitments.
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According to a statement signed by Louis Ibah, spokesman for the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), some of those strategies to curb methane emission and gas flaring include strict enforcement of flare-out deadlines mandated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and deployment of methane-detection technologies, including satellite surveillance, drones, and handheld sensors, to enhance leak detection and repair initiatives across upstream and midstream facilities.
The minister stated that authorities have been instructed to increase compliance monitoring and ensure operators meet the deadlines for eliminating routine gas flaring.
“These tools aim to deliver real-time data, improve accountability, and minimize emissions,” he stated.
In addition to regulatory action, the minister announced new commercial incentives for methane reduction, including flare-to-power projects, LPG market expansion, and small-scale LNG development.
These frameworks, according to the minister, are intended to turn previously squandered gas into economic value by supporting enterprises, powering households, and providing jobs.
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Ekpo pointed out that Nigeria’s push is not occurring in isolation. According to him, the country is working to improve regional collaboration, harmonize standards, and promote best practices among Sub-Saharan African manufacturers.
“We are ready to work with our neighbours to create scalable models that transform methane-related challenges into economic opportunities for the entire continent,” Ekpo said.
Ekpo went on to say that meaningful progress will be dependent on “political will, technological innovation, targeted investments, and long-term partnerships,” emphasizing that Nigeria is still committed to leading Africa’s transition to cleaner, gas-driven growth and playing an important role in global methane reduction efforts.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
