The Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG) has called on the Federal Government, regulators, investors, and industry stakeholders to shift attention from discussions about Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to practical measures that will improve access to cooking gas across the country.

The appeal comes amid growing concerns over rising Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices and challenges affecting distribution, infrastructure, and domestic utilisation of the country’s abundant gas resources. The association made its position known during the second edition of the ALDG Business Forum held at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Building in Abuja.

The forum, themed “From Gas Abundance to Gas Access: Reassessing Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Imperatives,” brought together government officials, regulators, development finance institutions, investors, technology providers, and key players in the gas industry to examine ways of expanding gas accessibility and strengthening the value chain.

Participants noted that despite possessing about 215 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves—the largest in Africa—Nigeria continues to face low domestic gas utilisation, inadequate distribution infrastructure, and persistent energy access challenges.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that urgent and deliberate action is required to bridge the gap between gas availability and gas accessibility through sustained investments, enabling policies, and stronger collaboration among industry players.

Speaking at the forum, ALDG Chairman, Kehinde Alabi, said the country can no longer afford to underutilise one of its most valuable 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,” he said.

“ALDG is committed to being a driving force in that execution, and today’s Forum is a testament to that commitment.”

Discussions at the forum highlighted the need for long-term policy consistency and regulatory certainty to encourage private sector investment. Participants stressed that investors require a stable operating environment before committing substantial capital to gas infrastructure projects.

The stakeholders also identified the expansion of pipeline networks, storage facilities, and efficient downstream distribution systems as critical requirements for improving access to gas for households, businesses, and industries nationwide.

In addition, participants advocated greater involvement by Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in providing affordable, long-term financing for gas infrastructure projects. They argued that increased access to funding would help reduce investment risks and attract more private capital into the sector.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), the Director of Midstream and Downstream Gas at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Irene Ikenma, said Nigeria’s gas distribution market remains attractive but requires stronger regulatory and infrastructural support.

“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,” she stated.

“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.”

Also speaking, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Gas, Aluko Ahmed Yinka, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting reforms aimed at accelerating gas access and stimulating investment in 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,” he said.

“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.”

The forum took place shortly after the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting involving the DSS, EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, regulators, producers, and marketers to address LPG hoarding, diversion, and the recent increase in cooking gas prices. Government officials at that meeting announced measures aimed at improving supply, affordability, and market stability across the country.

Industry stakeholders maintained that while policy discussions remain important, meaningful progress will depend on decisive implementation, expanded infrastructure, increased investment, and stronger collaboration across the gas value chain to ensure affordable and reliable access to cooking gas for millions of Nigerians.