•Queue for cooking gas
The Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) has called for bold and coordinated action to accelerate gas accessibility across Nigeria, urging policymakers, investors, regulators, and industry operators to move beyond discussions of the country’s vast gas reserves and focus on practical solutions that will drive widespread domestic utilisation.
This call was made at the second edition of the ALDG Business Forum, held recently at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Building in Abuja, according to a press statement sent by the group today.
Themed: “From Gas Abundance to Gas Access: Reassessing Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Imperatives,” the Forum convened an influential gathering of government officials, regulators, development finance institutions, investors, technology providers, and gas industry stakeholders to explore strategies for unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s gas resources.
Despite possessing approximately 215 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves, the largest in Africa, Nigeria continues to grapple with limited domestic gas utilisation, inadequate distribution infrastructure, and persistent energy access challenges.
Participants at the Forum agreed that the country must urgently bridge the gap between gas abundance and gas accessibility through deliberate investments, enabling policies, and stronger collaboration across the value chain.
Deliberations at the Forum highlighted the need for long-term policy consistency and regulatory certainty to encourage sustained private sector investment.
Stakeholders also emphasised the importance of accelerating the development of critical infrastructure, including pipeline networks, storage facilities, and efficient downstream distribution systems capable of delivering gas to industries, businesses, and households across the country.
Participants further advocated greater involvement by Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in providing affordable, long-term, naira-denominated financing to de-risk gas infrastructure projects and catalyse private capital.
They also underscored the need for strategic partnerships among investors and operators, including the establishment of gas aggregation hubs and scalable distribution models that can expand access and improve market efficiency.
Speaking at the Forum, the Chairman of the Association of Local Distributors of Gas, Kehinde Alabi, said Nigeria can no longer afford to underutilise one of its most abundant natural resources.
“Nigeria cannot afford to remain a footnote in its own gas story. We have the reserves, we have the policy frameworks, and increasingly we have the investor appetite. What we need now is ruthless execution from the wellhead to the household. ALDG is committed to being a driving force in that execution, and today’s Forum is a testament to that commitment,” he said.
Also speaking, Irene Ikenma, Director of Midstream and Downstream Gas at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, representing the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) in Nigeria, Ekperikpe Ekpo, noted that while the commercial fundamentals for gas distribution in Nigeria remain attractive, investors require greater certainty and supporting infrastructure to unlock long-term value.
“The commercial fundamentals for gas distribution in Nigeria are compelling, but the investment will only flow at the scale we need when we have regulatory certainty and infrastructure that can underpin long-term returns. Industry and government must work in lockstep. ALDG Member companies remain deeply invested in that partnership, and forums like this are exactly where the right conversations happen,” she stated.
In his remarks, Hon. Aluko Ahmed Yinka, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Gas, representing the Chairman of the House Committee on Gas Resources, Hon. Nicholas Mutu, reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to supporting reforms that will accelerate gas access and stimulate investment across the sector.
“The National Assembly is fully aligned with the imperative to accelerate gas access for Nigerians. We are not here merely as observers—we are here as partners in reform.
“The House Committee on Gas will continue to champion legislative and oversight mechanisms that remove barriers, attract investment, and hold all actors accountable for delivering on Nigeria’s gas distribution targets,” he said.
The development followed an update by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, that it had convened an emergency stakeholders’ engagement, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria Police Force, to address Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) hoarding and diversion to neighbouring countries.
A statement by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) yesterday stated that the move followed the recent increase in LPG prices and developed coordinated measures to improve supply, affordability, and market stability across the country.
