The Nigerian Government, through the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) and the Decade of Gas Initiative, has launched the National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme (NGLPP) in Akwa Ibom State.
The programme advances President Bola Tinubu’s drive to expand access to clean cooking energy, targeting 5 million Nigerian households by 2030, approximately 1 million households annually.
The Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Mr Ed Ubong, highlighted Akwa Ibom’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s petroleum industry, noting its significant oil production and huge natural gas reserves.
He commended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, for championing gas development and announced the distribution of 27,000 filled LPG cylinders to women across the state, explaining that the intervention would be rolled out across all 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.
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Decade of Gas NGLPP Programme Lead, Ramatu Abdullahi, commended the leadership of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo and Coordinating Director, Mr Ed Ubong.
Recalling the earlier regional LPG launch held in Akwa Ibom, she said the current state-by-state phase introduces a more sustainable Depot–Hub–Node cylinder exchange model, with refill points targeted within 1 to 2 kilometres of communities.
Beneficiaries will receive up to six free refills, supported by a digital platform that tracks cylinders, refills and household adoption.
Representing the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Francis Ogaree, Executive Director, HPPITI, commended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) and the Decade of Gas Secretariat for their leadership in promoting long-term LPG adoption.
The Minister highlighted the cylinder recirculation model, six-refill support and barcode-enabled monitoring as key to the programme’s sustainability.
He noted that the target of 1 million households annually and 5 million by 2030 supports Nigeria’s goal of increasing domestic LPG consumption to 5 million metric tonnes annually by 2030, reaffirming NMDPRA’s commitment to a safe, competitive and sustainable LPG market.
Delivering his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended President Bola Tinubu, for placing women’s empowerment, grassroots prosperity and domestic gas utilisation at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also acknowledged the leadership of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Umo Eno, for his people-centred approach to peace and development.
The Minister launched the National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme in Akwa Ibom, making it the second state in the nationwide rollout after Bayelsa, with 27,000 LPG cylinders to be distributed and beneficiaries receiving up to six refills within a year.
Rural Women Empowerment
He also launched the Rural Women Empowerment Initiative, through which 3,000 women will receive ₦100,000 each, amounting to ₦300 million in direct support for businesses, agriculture and household incomes.
The Minister said the NGLPP would cover all 36 states and the FCT, targeting 1 million households annually, 5 million by 2030 and over 10 million by 2060, while urging stakeholders to support its sustainability.
He added that the intervention would promote healthier homes, women’s empowerment, job creation and stronger local economies, while noting Akwa Ibom’s potential for gas-based investment and downstream utilisation.
