Review of LPG Usage in NigeriaTrends, Challenges and Opportunities – A Techno- Social Perspective

Abstract

Over the years, the desire for cleaner sources of energy have gained global attention thus the widespreadeffort pursuing cleaner and abundant sources. Nigeria, a nation endowed with natural gas, which is the cleanest source of fossil fuel, has about 206.53TCF of proven reserve thus its high potential to stand tall in the committee of nations championing the campaign of clean energy. LPG popularly known as cooking gas constitutes mainly of propane and butane are products of natural gas processing and given that cooking accounts for 80% of Nigeria’s household energy demand, yet its use is below 5% on average. Factors accounting for this poor figures can be classified as technical and policy concerns. This paper identifies the factors which makes Morocco and Egypt stand tall among nations with outstanding LPG industry. This researchidentifiedopportunities for engineers and researchers to work on technologies such as on cylinder tracking, innovative digital media, advanced cooking equipment, composite cylinders, cylinder sensor, domestic delivery, quick delivery and leak detection systems to the end that affordability, availability and awareness and safety issues are resolved thus the possibility of increasing domestic use by 69%.This is a call for all effort targeted at developing the gas industry to be backed up by policies that favours research and development as well as awareness activities.