The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has adopted a proposed operational excellence framework aimed at improving safety, regulatory compliance and service delivery across Nigeria’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry.
The initiative comes amid continuing concerns over the safe handling, storage, transportation and use of LPG, commonly known as cooking gas, by households and commercial operators.
The association announced the framework following its 2026 webinar themed “Downstream LPG Operational Excellence and Compliance,” which brought together industry operators, regulators and other stakeholders to discuss safety risks, market volatility, operational losses and regulatory requirements.
NALPGAM National President, Barrister Edu Inyang, said the industry must place safety and responsible operations at the centre of its growth strategy rather than focus solely on increasing market volumes.
“The future of Nigeria’s LPG industry cannot be achieved by increasing volumes alone. We must grow safely, responsibly, efficiently and sustainably,” Inyang said.
He stressed that safety should become a continuous industry culture rather than an occasional campaign.
Four principles underpin safety framework
The proposed NALPGAM Standard of Operational Excellence is built around four principles: safe and well-maintained facilities, competent and properly trained operators, compliant operational processes, and customer protection.
The framework is intended to encourage LPG businesses to adopt consistent operational practices, improve the condition of their facilities and strengthen accountability in the delivery of cooking gas to consumers.
Safe handling is particularly important in the LPG industry because poor storage practices, defective equipment, inadequate maintenance and improper handling can expose workers, customers and surrounding communities to serious hazards.
Training and compliance are also essential as operators expand their businesses and serve a wider customer base.
The adoption of the framework could provide a common reference point for participating operators seeking to improve safety standards. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on implementation, monitoring and compliance across the industry.
Digitalisation and regulatory compliance
NALPGAM also called on operators to embrace digitalisation and stronger regulatory compliance as part of efforts to improve efficiency and support sustainable growth.
Digital tools can help businesses improve record-keeping, monitor operations, manage inventory and strengthen traceability. These measures may also support more effective oversight, provided operators have the capacity to adopt and maintain the systems.
The webinar provided a platform for stakeholders to examine operational challenges affecting the downstream LPG market and discuss ways to reduce losses while improving service delivery.
For consumers, stronger safety practices could help improve confidence in LPG as a household energy source. For operators, more consistent procedures and better-maintained facilities could support more reliable operations.
Nigeria’s efforts to expand LPG use will therefore need to be accompanied by sustained attention to safety education, infrastructure quality, regulatory enforcement and the professional training of industry personnel.
