FG signs pact with IEA on methane reduction, clean cooking expansion

The Federal Government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to strengthen cooperation on gas development, clean cooking access, methane emissions reduction, and technical support.

Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), who signed the deal on behalf of the Nigeria’s Government at the IEA Headquarters in Paris, France, said the agreement formalised a strategic partnership aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening governance and aligning Nigeria’s petroleum industry with global best practices.

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The collaboration, he said, was built on earlier engagements between both parties, including the inaugural Sub-Saharan Roundtable on methane emissions reduction hosted in Nigeria.

“This MoU marks an important milestone in our collective efforts to advance the Nigerian petroleum sector in a manner that is efficient, sustainable and aligned with global standards.

“The framework covers methane emissions reduction, policy and analytical support, institutional and technical capacity building, data sharing, gas development and expansion of gas infrastructure,” Ekpo said in a statement issued to journalists.

Ekpo also highlighted clean cooking as a major pillar of the agreement, noting that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, is targeting five million homes for Liquefied Petroleum Gas adoption by 2030.

This follows the recent announcement by the minister that the Tinubu led administration has successfully implemented the nationwide rollout of free LPG cylinder distribution program across all six geopolitical zones of the country.

This, according to him, has significantly accelerated the adoption of clean cooking, reduced deforestation, improved public health, and supported the nation’s net‑zero ambitions.

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Ekpo also expressed confidence that the partnership with the IEA would provide technical expertise and global insights to strengthen project bankability and accelerate infrastructure delivery.

Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director, who represented the Agency at the signing ceremony, commended Nigeria’s commitment to methane reduction and clean cooking gas expansion.