Cooking Gas: Stop mere talks, focus on practical solutions, marketers tell FG, others
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 on Tuesday. 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.
