The federal government is working assiduously in its ongoing energy transition actions,anticipating to transit five million Nigerian homes to clean cooking by 2030.
The minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who gave the assurances said the government has developed a broad range of policies to expand the use of cleaner cooking gas in rural Nigerian communities.
Ekpo stated this on Monday in Lagos during the opening of the 48th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) 2025. The conference is with the theme: ‘Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Policy.’He said, the government’s LPG Penetration Programme would distribute cylinders nationwide, empowering women and youth to promote clean cooking in rural areas.
We have expanded gas supply for industries, prioritising manufacturing hubs, power generation, and industrial corridors, he added. He assured that all gas off-takers currently receive the volume required for their industrial processes.
Ekpo also highlighted achievements and ongoing projects, including growing investment in gas infrastructure such as the OB3 and AKK pipelines. He listed modular and scalable gas projects like mini-LNG and CNG stations, aimed at boosting last-mile access and local economies.
Job creation is also being facilitated through public-private partnerships in construction, logistics, and retail within the gas value chain. Ekpo praised NAICE for evolving into a leading platform for technical dialogue and energy policy development in Nigeria.
He said the theme aligned with the government’s push for a sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready energy sector.
We are at a defining moment in the global energy transition, Ekpo noted.,stressing the challenge of balancing energy security and climate goals, particularly for countries like Nigeria. He said it called for innovation, bold policy, and strategic investment.
Ekpo commended President Bola Tinubu’s focus on gas as central to Nigeria’s energy transformation strategy. He said the phrase ‘From Gas to Prosperity’ reflected the national ambition for gas-fuelled industrialisation and job creation. He added that gas would also drive wider access to clean and affordable energy across the country.
Ekpo noted the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has provided a firm regulatory and fiscal base for progress.
The government, he said, was also pushing market-reflective pricing, deepwater development, and domestic supply obligations, stressing that collaboration was vital in achieving Nigeria’s energy vision and a sustainable energy future. ‘Government alone can’t do this. We need professionals, private enterprise, youth innovation, and global partnerships,’ he said.
He commended the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council for sustaining the NAICE platform, noting that, ‘Your work is shaping the future of the energy industry and our nation.’ He urged them to keep sharing knowledge, pushing boundaries, and developing practical solutions. He added that “we can build a gas-powered energy future of inclusiveness, prosperity, and sustainability.”
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the conference theme as timely and forward-looking. The governor, who was represented by the commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State, acknowledged that, while oil and gas remained key, the future must be sustainable and innovation-driven.
He said Lagos promotes clean energy, invests in human capital, and improves infrastructure for upstream and downstream operations, reaffirming the state’s support for inclusive, sustainable energy initiatives and environmental responsibility.
The governor applauded the SPE Nigeria Council for choosing Lagos to host the conference. He said, “we are proud to support this progressive conversation and welcome its transformative outcomes.”
Sanwo-Olu also noted state efforts to create an investor-friendly climate for the oil and gas industry. He cited the Lekki Free Zone and Deep Sea Port as strategic petroleum logistics and supply chain enablers.
