The Federal Government has officially launched a nationwide programme aimed at increasing the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in homes across Nigeria. The initiative, introduced under the Decade of Gas Programme, is expected to provide cleaner cooking energy to five million households by the year 2030.
The nationwide rollout began in Bayelsa State, which was selected as the pilot location for the project. According to the government, the programme will reach about one million households every year as part of efforts to encourage the use of clean energy, improve public health, reduce environmental damage, create jobs, and boost economic development.
Speaking during the launch in Yenagoa, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the project reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s rich natural gas resources directly improve the lives of citizens.
He announced that the first phase of the programme would see the distribution of 27,000 LPG cylinders to households in Bayelsa State. He explained that replacing firewood and charcoal with cooking gas would help reduce indoor air pollution, improve the health of families, especially women and children, and protect forests from excessive tree cutting.
Ekpo described the launch as an important step towards building healthier homes and a cleaner environment while also creating more economic opportunities for Nigerians.
He noted that every household that switches to LPG means one less family relying on traditional cooking fuels, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions and less deforestation. He added that the programme would also support local businesses involved in manufacturing, gas distribution, cylinder maintenance, and other parts of the LPG value chain, creating employment opportunities across the country.
The minister called on state governments, private investors, development partners, community leaders, and industry stakeholders to work together to ensure the programme succeeds nationwide.
Also speaking at the event, the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Ed Ubong, explained that Bayelsa was chosen because of its important role in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. He noted that the state is home to major gas facilities and has played a significant part in the country’s petroleum development.
Ubong said the programme is designed for long-term success through a cylinder recirculation system supported by digital tracking technology, safety education for users, and structured refill support. These measures, he explained, are intended to encourage continuous use of LPG instead of a one-time distribution exercise.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) also praised the initiative. Its Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, said the programme’s use of barcode technology, cylinder monitoring, and refill support would improve safety, build consumer confidence, and ensure sustainability.
He added that the programme supports Nigeria’s goal of increasing domestic LPG consumption to five million metric tonnes annually by 2030 while making cooking gas more affordable and widely available.
Representatives from the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth Development also welcomed the project. They described it as an opportunity to improve women’s health, empower families, and create jobs for young people through entrepreneurship, technical skills, and green economy initiatives.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri thanked the Federal Government for selecting the state as the starting point of the nationwide programme. He said the initiative would help address the long-standing challenge of communities in oil-producing areas depending on firewood for cooking despite living in regions rich in natural gas.
The governor encouraged residents to embrace LPG as a healthier and cleaner cooking option while urging the Federal Government to extend subsidised refill support so that low-income families can continue using gas after receiving the cylinders.
The event included safety awareness sessions, cultural displays, and the symbolic presentation of LPG cylinders to selected beneficiaries. It attracted government officials, industry leaders, development partners, traditional rulers, women and youth groups, civil society organisations, and residents.
Following the successful launch in Bayelsa, the Federal Government confirmed that the programme will move next to Delta State as it continues its nationwide effort to make clean cooking energy available to millions of Nigerian households.
