FG Launches National Grassroots LPG Programme to Cut Cooking Gas Costs for Five Million Households by 2030

The federal government on Tuesday, July 28 launched the National Grassroots LPG Programme in Yenagoa, targeting five million Nigerian households for transition from firewood and charcoal to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 2030. Bayelsa State was selected as the pilot, with 27,000 households set to receive cooking gas cylinders in the first phase.

Bayelsa Kicks Off First Phase with 27,000 Households

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, officially unveiled the programme as part of the broader Decade of Gas Initiative. Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, flagged off the cylinder distribution and praised the initiative, saying it would improve energy access and reduce environmental pollution across the state. Ekpo noted that Bayelsa's position as one of Nigeria's top gas-producing areas made it a natural starting point.

The Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, E.D. Ubong, described the scheme as a major commitment under the Federal Government's plan to move five million households onto clean cooking energy before the end of the decade.

Minister Directs Producers to Prioritise Domestic Supply

Ekpo said the government had already taken action to bring down LPG costs by directing producers to put domestic supply ahead of exports. He stated: "When the price of gas was high, we engaged producers and told them Nigerians must come first. That intervention has contributed to the reduction in prices, and we will continue working with them to ensure LPG remains affordable."

The minister framed the programme within President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, saying wider access to cooking gas would cut indoor air pollution, reduce deforestation, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. He argued that growing domestic LPG use would attract fresh investment across the value chain, covering cylinder manufacturing, storage, transport, and retail, with potential to generate thousands of jobs.

What It Means for Consumers and the Naira

Increased supply has already helped push retail prices closer to N1,000 per kilogram, offering relief to households still grappling with high living costs. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that improved product inflows into local depots have stabilised availability across key markets, reversing severe shortages that drove prices as high as N1,800 per kg. The NMDPRA disclosed that Nigeria currently has about 18 days of national LPG sufficiency, reflecting improved stock levels nationwide. Ekpo said the programme ensures Nigeria's over 215 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves translate into direct benefits for citizens.