Gas Expansion Push: ALGON, Petroleum Ministry Unite for Grassroots Energy Transition
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A coordinated national push to expand access to cleaner cooking energy gained momentum on Thursday as the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources moved to align strategies for the nationwide rollout of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at the grassroots.
The renewed drive was underscored during a high-level engagement at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, where the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, received an ALGON delegation led by its National President, Bello Lawal.
The meeting brought together key officials including ALGON’s Director General, Barr. Mrs. Evan Enekwe; Chief of Staff, Shehu Jega; and Financial/Lead Consultant, Senator Dr. Alphonsus Ubanesse Igbeke, alongside senior ministry personnel. At the centre of discussions was the LPG Grassroots Penetration Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at transitioning millions of Nigerian households from firewood and kerosene to cleaner gas alternatives.
Addressing the Minister, Lawal said the visit was intended to consolidate institutional cooperation and ensure that LPG infrastructure and distribution systems effectively reach all 774 Local Government Areas and Area Councils. He commended the Ministry’s leadership for initiating the programme and pledged ALGON’s full support in driving its implementation at the community level.
He outlined a multi-pronged approach that includes grassroots mobilisation for equitable cylinder distribution, the establishment of monitoring frameworks in rural areas, and a nationwide sensitisation campaign to accelerate public acceptance. Lawal further proposed the creation of a joint technical committee, backed by financial and technical support, as well as the rollout of pilot schemes to test scalable models across selected local governments.
In his response, Ekpo welcomed the delegation and praised ALGON’s proactive role in advancing Nigeria’s energy transition agenda. He acknowledged the existing collaboration between the Ministry and ALGON, particularly through the Technical Working Group chaired by Senator Igbeke, noting that it has laid a solid foundation for the current phase of expansion.
The Minister emphasised that local governments are strategically positioned to facilitate programme delivery and attract lawful incentives, assuring that the Ministry would continue to provide support in partnership with the private sector. He also called for the designation of focal desk officers to streamline coordination and improve feedback mechanisms.
Highlighting the broader significance of the initiative, Ekpo said the LPG expansion programme is critical to reducing deforestation, improving public health, and maximising the utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources.
“This engagement is vital to improving lives,” he noted, adding that the transition to LPG would drastically cut indoor air pollution and reduce preventable health conditions associated with traditional cooking methods.
He further stressed that the initiative is particularly impactful for women, youth, and children, who bear the brunt of energy poverty, and urged sustained commitment from all stakeholders to ensure its success.
The meeting also featured recognition of contributions by members of the Technical Working Group, including Senator Igbeke and Dimeji Lamuren, whose roles in advancing the ALGON gas programme were highlighted. Lawal reaffirmed that ALGON would continue leveraging the existing TWG framework to sustain progress.
Other attendees included Dr. Ben Nkechika, ALGON Consultant on Health Matters; Dimeji Lamuren, Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Programmes; Alhaji Lawali Ibrahim, Deputy Director of Human Resources; Gloria Udoh, Secretary; and other senior directors from the Ministry.
The engagement signals a strengthened alliance between federal and local authorities, positioning LPG expansion as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s broader energy transition strategy, with a clear focus on grassroots inclusion, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life.
