FG targets 5m LPG cylinders for rural women by 2030

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to distribute five million Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to women in rural communities by 2030 as part of efforts to expand access to clean cooking energy and reduce dependence on firewood.

The Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Ed Ubong, disclosed the plan on Wednesday during a panel session at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week 2026 in Abuja.

Ubong said the programme would see about one million LPG cylinders distributed annually over the next five years to improve clean energy access, particularly among low-income households.

He stressed that cooking gas remains the energy product most closely linked to the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians, making affordability and accessibility a key government priority.

According to him, the Federal Government will continue to monitor domestic LPG prices to cushion the effects of fluctuations in global energy markets on consumers.

“Cooking gas is the product most directly felt by ordinary Nigerians. We must ensure it remains affordable and accessible,” he said.

Ubong noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts under the Decade of Gas programme to deepen domestic gas utilisation, improve energy access and support Nigeria’s transition to cleaner fuels.

He added that the government was also working to increase gas supply for electricity generation to address persistent power shortages, describing natural gas as Nigeria’s most practical transition fuel.

The Decade of Gas coordinator said collaboration among government agencies, regulators and industry stakeholders remained critical to achieving the country’s gas development objectives.

He disclosed that a communiqué would be issued at the end of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week to strengthen cooperation on gas supply, infrastructure development and market reforms across the region.