The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has revealed that fewer than 3,000 cooking gas refilling plants currently serve Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people.
The disclosure sheds light on the persistent cooking gas scarcity being experienced in several parts of the country, which has hindered gas penetration and household energy access.
Speaking at the National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) Energy Conference 2025 held in Lagos on Thursday, the Authority Chief Executive (ACE) of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, represented by the Head of Public Affairs, George Ene Ita, highlighted the urgent need for diversified investments in Nigeria’s energy mix.
The conference, themed “Nigeria’s Energy Future: Exploring Opportunities and Addressing Risks for Sustainable Growth,” brought together policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders to discuss pathways for sustainable energy development.
Ahmed emphasised that as the country expands investments in gas infrastructure, it must also work to reduce dependence on a single energy source. He noted that the number of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) refilling plants in Nigeria is less than 3,000, while Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compression stations are fewer than 50, a figure far below the nation’s energy demand.
He called for increased private sector participation and policy support to attract investments in gas infrastructure and promote energy diversification for long-term growth.
