L-R: Mrs. Ifunaya Anyawoke, Mrs. Asanimo Omezi, Executive Secretary, WIEN, Dr. Yinka Opeke CEO, Smart Gas Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Fatayi Eyono-Williams, President of WIEN and Nike Ogunsanya, Snr Manager Operations and Admin at a media briefing recently in Lagos.
…LPG is a cleaner fuel compared to firewood, coal, and kerosene, and its increased adoption plays a critical role in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce environmental degradation
…Smart Gas partners with local, state and federal governments including the Decade of Gas Office.
-Felix Douglas
Delivering her speech at a press briefing on the collaborative initiative between Women in Energy Network (WIEN) and Smart Gas, Mrs. Eyono-Fatayi Williams, President of WIEN stated that the Nigerian government has recognised the importance of diversifying its energy mix to ensure long-term economic stability.
This is part of supporting the country’s diversification strategy.
By promoting Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as an alternative to firewood and coal, this initiative directly supports the federal government’s National Gas Expansion Program (NGEP), which aims to increase domestic LPG consumption and reduce reliance on kerosene and other polluting fuels.
On economic efficiency and cost savings; Fatayi-Williams made it clear that LPG offers a more cost-effective and sustainable energy source for households compared to firewood, coal, and kerosene.
“It not only reduces household energy expenses in the long run but also helps the country reduce fuel importation costs. The increased use of LPG mainly from local sources like the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and other fractionation plants like NEDOGAS strengthens our economy by keeping energy-related funds circulating within Nigeria.”
The aspect of health benefits and aligning with public health goals cannot be overemphasized.
Fatayi-Williams said one of the Nigerian government’s key goals is improving public health, particularly in underserved communities. Household air pollution from the use of firewood and coal is a major cause of respiratory diseases in Nigeria, especially among women and children. The shift to LPG directly contributes to achieving the national health agenda by reducing the burden of respiratory illnesses and decreasing healthcare costs.
On environmental sustainability in line with national targets; LPG is a cleaner fuel compared to firewood, coal, and kerosene, and its increased adoption plays a critical role in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce environmental degradation. Deforestation caused by firewood collection, soil erosion, and harmful emissions can be minimized as more households transition to LPG, aligning with Nigeria’s commitments to combating climate change and preserving its ecosystems.
According to Fatayi-Williams, LPG is time-saving and boosting of productivity.
The switch to LPG doesn’t just save costs, it also saves time. Collecting firewood is labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially for rural women. By making LPG widely available, it is empowering households with more efficient cooking methods, allowing women and families to redirect their time to education, income-generating activities, and other productive endeavours. This is consistent with the government’s goals of improving productivity and human capital development.
The WIEN President said LPG initiative will contribute significantly to economic diversification by creating a new value chain for LPG distribution and services. The distribution channel activities will stimulate local economies and create jobs, supporting the federal government’s drive to boost non-oil sectors of the economy.
In terms of increasing energy accessibility for all Nigerians, government’s energy policies emphasise equitable energy access, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the transition to cleaner fuels.
She pointed out that the program is a critical step towards fulfilling government’s vision by ensuring that even underserved and rural communities have access to safe, affordable, and modern energy sources like LPG. This aligns with the government’s commitment to reducing energy poverty.
Safety is a top priority in Nigeria’s energy policies. LPG is not only cleaner but also safer than traditional cooking methods when properly handled. Through this partnership, the country’s aim is to raise awareness on proper use and safety of LPG, aligning with government’s push for higher safety standards and regulations in energy use to protect citizens from accidents and hazards.
LPG is a strategic fit with national development goals.
Stating further, Williams added that the government has in its programmes partnered several industry investor and operating groups on gas penetration and fuel diversification; “but we feel properly positioned as mothers and home managers to take effective roles in the prevailing programmes to displace dirty fuels from Nigerian homes and improve the environment for the health and wellbeing of our children.”
“This partnership between WIEN and Smart Gas Limited perfectly aligns with the Nigerian government’s broader fuel diversification agenda and its goals for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and public health improvement. By deepening LPG penetration, we are supporting the country’s energy transition, creating jobs, improving lives, and protecting our environment. We are proud to contribute to a vision of a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous Nigeria.”
On her part, Dr. Yinka Opeke, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Smart Gas Limited, buttressed the points made by the President of WIEN. She said the gas company operates in the midstream and downstream sector of the gas sector and is focus on LPG also known as cooking gas.
Smart Gas involves in cooking gas logistics, typically the company supplies hotels, bars, restaurants and home services. It also sells cylinders of various sizes. It is involved in wholesale to wholesalers in local markets who in turn retail to end users.
Dr. Opeke explained further that Smart Gas has a mobile app, where people can order for gas in comfort of their homes which is like Uber.
The company has its presence in all the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja which make supplies easy through the mobile app.
“For us, it’s promoting accessibility to gas and affordability. So all our business operations are always centered on how we promote utilization of cooking gas to households.”
The company has a project called trash for Gas. It’s essentially targeted towards the grassroots, those who are yet to transition from firewood, kerosene and charcoal. One of the visions of the present administration is transitioning people from energy poverty to domestic utilization of cooking gas.
Dr. Opeke also emphasised the promotion of grassroots penetration working with collaborators who will fund cylinders to be given to people and enhance advocacies in the communities around the nation.
“We’re going to be partnering with local governments, because based on our experience over the years; we have done it at the state, local government and federal government level. We have partnered with the Decade of Gas Office”
As part of its advocacy initiative, Smart Gas has given away cylinders to people to enhance LPG usage.
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