The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding gas utilisation across the country, announcing plans to transition five million households from firewood, kerosene and other biomass fuels to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve public health.
Speaking at the 2026 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said Nigeria’s economic growth will depend largely on the effective development and utilisation of its vast natural gas resources.
According to the minister, Nigeria considers natural gas its preferred transition fuel as the country pursues cleaner energy while taking advantage of its abundant gas reserves.
Ekpo noted that although Nigeria supports the global energy transition, each country must adopt an approach that reflects its available natural resources.
He explained that natural gas plays a critical role in electricity generation, industrial development, fertiliser production, household energy and transportation, making it a key driver of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The minister added that the creation of the Office of the Minister of State for Gas, alongside incentives provided under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to increasing gas utilisation nationwide.
Ekpo said gas, which was once underutilised, has become central to efforts aimed at tackling climate change through the deployment of cleaner technologies that reduce carbon emissions.
Under the Decade of Gas Initiative, he said the government has identified strategic projects designed to bring gas closer to Nigerians, including the target of moving about five million households from traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, kerosene and biomass to LPG.
According to him, the initiative is expected to improve household health by reducing exposure to harmful indoor air pollution while also lowering the country’s carbon emissions.
Also speaking at the conference, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, said recent fiscal and sector reforms have strengthened investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Lokpobiri stated that Nigeria is positioning itself for greater global competitiveness, assuring investors that the country’s policy environment is designed to protect investments and deliver sustainable returns.
