Stakeholders call for improved gas safety as consumption surges

As Nigeria deepens its adoption of gas for cooking, transportation and power generation, stakeholders are calling for greater public awareness and stronger safety systems to prevent accidents linked to poor handling practices.

Speaking ahead of the Nigeria Gas Safety Conference 2026 in Abuja, Sunday Kanshio, founder and managing partner of Fleissen & Company Limited, said the growing use of gas across the country has increased the need for improved safety consciousness among consumers, operators and regulators.

Kanshio stressed that gas itself is not inherently dangerous, noting that most incidents result from human error, poor handling and weak enforcement of safety standards.

“What we are advocating is the safe handling of gas by buyers and users. Gas is not the problem; the problem is how it is handled,” he said.

According to him, incidents involving cooking gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), pipelines and gas transportation continue to pose risks to lives and property when safety procedures are ignored.

He noted that many gas-related accidents are underreported, making it difficult for policymakers to develop effective interventions and strengthen regulatory oversight.

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Kanshio called on government agencies to strengthen enforcement mechanisms as the country expands its gas infrastructure under its energy transition agenda.

“The government is promoting gas, which is a good thing, but it must also strengthen the systems that support safe gas utilisation,” he said.

He added that public education should extend beyond industry operators to households and local communities where awareness of gas safety remains low despite increasing adoption.

The conference, themed “Strengthening Safety Systems for Nigeria’s Expanding Gas Economy,” will bring together regulators, industry operators, safety professionals and policymakers to discuss strategies for improving gas safety across the value chain.

He noted that improving gas safety is critical to sustaining confidence in the country’s gas sector, warning that frequent accidents could discourage adoption and undermine investments in the industry.

“The goal is not to discourage the use of gas but to ensure that it is used safely and responsibly,” he said.