Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, is currently creating a safe path to ensure gas is available to millions of homes in the North-East axis of Nigeria troubled by the persisting Boko Haram insurgency that has lasted for 16 years.

Ekpo is trying to tackle the energy challenge that is plaguing the region. This is coming as the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman, shed light on the daunting struggles women in the region face when relying on firewood as a primary energy source in their homes.

The women affairs minister who was with Ekpo to inaugurate the North-East Decade of Gas Clean Cooking (LPG) Grassroots Penetration Programme in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, announced that the Tinubu administration is committed to transitioning one million households to clean cooking gas by 2030.

According to her, Abuja is also committed to tackling environmental pollution, creating job opportunities, and boosting socio-economic activities through collaborative efforts with various sectors.

For the gas minister, the Decade of Gas Initiative aims to transform Nigeria into a gas-powered economy. The event in Maiduguri, according to him, demonstrates their unwavering commitment to ensuring that no region is left behind in this transformation.

“A few weeks ago”, he went on, “I visited a rural community where I met a mother who, like many others, depended on firewood for cooking. She shared her struggles with me, which included hours spent gathering wood, the thick smoke filling her kitchen, and the toll it took on her health and that of her children.

“Her story is not unique; it is the reality of millions of Nigerians who still rely on traditional fuels for daily cooking. It was a reminder that energy poverty is not just about electricity, it is about access to clean cooking fuel, a necessity for every household.”

Ekpo said he is committed to the task of ensuring that every Nigerian has access to safe, affordable, and clean cooking energy. The distribution of LPG cylinders under the LPG Grassroot Penetration Programme is not just about handing out cylinders, it is about changing lives, improving health, and fostering economic growth.

This initiative is a crucial part of the Decade of Gas Initiative, which aims to harness our abundant gas resources to drive national development and prosperity. The clean cooking initiative, conceived by President Bola Tinubu, is aimed at converting 250,000 homes per year to the use of LPG following the call to address maternal and youth deaths caused by inhaling carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases from traditional cooking fuels with heavier carbon chains.

This ambitious target reflects Abuja’s commitment to not only safeguarding the health of the citizens but also transforming Nigeria's energy landscape. By providing cleaner alternatives, the Tinubu administration is aiming to reduce the burden of respiratory diseases and other health issues that arise from prolonged exposure to harmful emissions.

The switch to LPG, according to Ekpo, “will drastically cut down on deforestation, preserving our forests and contributing to a healthier environment. In alignment with this vision, the Decade of Gas Initiative is designed to ensure that the benefits of our rich gas resources reach every corner of our nation, fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for our citizens.”

Interestingly, the programme represents a significant step towards achieving the administration’s broader goals of energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment.

Ekpo lauded Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno for his unwavering support towards the initiative. He noted that the clean cooking initiative, conceived by President Bola Tinubu, aims to convert 250,000 homes per year to the use of LPG, also known as cooking gas. This follows the call to address maternal and youth deaths caused by inhaling carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases from traditional cooking fuels with heavier carbon chains.

The gas minister, who led the distribution of LPG cylinders to beneficiaries, noted that adopting LPG goes beyond convenience; it's crucial for cleaner air, reduced deforestation, and mitigating health risks from traditional fuels like charcoal and firewood. He said the switch to LPG supports the national strategy for a sustainable energy mix and reduced carbon emissions.

The LPG penetration programme has been planned to reach the six geo-political zones of the country, touching the 36 states and 774 local government areas. At its inception, Ekpo said they commenced distribution in FCT Abuja, Alimosho Local Government in Lagos, and Uyo in Akwa Ibom State.

With the Maiduguri event, the movement underscores the significance and relevance placed on the programme to achieve the desired objective of taking clean cooking to every doorstep while improving the quality of life of Nigerians.

“We recognize that the North-East has faced significant energy challenges over the years, and we are determined to make clean energy accessible and affordable to all. Besides the cleanliness of using LPG for cooking, there are other significant benefits.

“Economically, the adoption of LPG can stimulate local businesses and create job opportunities within the gas value chain. The development of robust LPG infrastructure and strategic partnerships with the private sector will support local economies and foster economic growth”, Ekpo said.

It appears, the affordability and accessibility of LPG will enable households to save time and resources, allowing them to engage in more productive activities, and as the gas minister continues to implement the LPG Grassroot Penetration Programme, it is essential to educate and encourage the beneficiaries to embrace this opportunity for a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

Abuja's commitment to making LPG available and affordable for all Nigerians is unwavering, and through collaborative efforts, it can achieve its vision of a gas-powered Nigeria. As the minister explains, “the adoption of LPG is not just about convenience; it is about ensuring cleaner air, reducing deforestation, and mitigating health risks associated with traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and charcoal.

“The environmental benefits of switching to LPG are immense, as it contributes to our broader national strategy for reducing carbon emissions and achieving a sustainable energy mix.”

While distributing the LPG cylinders in Maiduguri, he urged the beneficiaries to embrace this opportunity for a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, adding that the government is working tirelessly to ensure that LPG is not only available but also affordable for all Nigerians.

In the meantime, after decades of decline, food insecurity is on the rise again, with some 20 million people in Nigeria facing food insecurity. The North-East which comprises Yobe, Adamawa, and Bornu, has been a battleground for 16 years now.

The Boko Haram insurgents have infiltrated that part of Nigeria leading to the loss of lives, means of livelihood, and the displacement of thousands. The insurgency erupted in 2009, crushing massive networks, destroying food crops, slaughtering cattle, and forcing herders and farmers to flee.

As a result, families, and communities are relying on food assistance from international organisations. The insurgency’s impact on human insecurity has received much attention in the past. But, the effect of this conflict on food insecurity has received less attention, at least from an academic standpoint.

Unarguably, Boko Haram has adversely affected the state of food security, and food has become a weapon of war by the rampaging insurgents.