The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, popularly known as cooking gas, has continued to rise across Nigeria despite increased domestic production and a decline in imports.
According to Punch, data obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that local production from refineries and gas processing plants accounted for the bulk of Nigeria’s LPG supply between April 2025 and April 2026.
However, the improved domestic supply has not translated into lower prices for consumers, as cooking gas now sells for as high as ₦2,000 per kilogramme in some parts of the country.
According to NMDPRA data, average daily domestic LPG supply ranged between 3,300 and 4,500 tonnes during the period under review.
In March and April 2026, local supply stood at 4,500 tonnes per day, accounting for most of the national LPG supply.
In contrast, imports by oil marketing companies declined sharply.
Imported LPG volumes fell to 200 tonnes per day in March 2026, compared with 1,600 tonnes per day in November 2025 and 1,500 tonnes per day in December 2025.
The report showed that total average daily LPG supply ranged between 4,200 tonnes and 5,200 tonnes, peaking at 5,200 tonnes per day in December 2025 before settling at 4,500 tonnes by April 2026.
Prices Remain High
The steady domestic contribution has been linked to improved output from gas processing facilities and increased refining capacity, including supplies associated with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Despite this, consumers continue to face high prices and occasional shortages.
Checks showed that cooking gas, which sold for less than ₦1,000 per kilogramme in many locations months ago, now sells for about ₦2,000 per kilogramme, depending on the area.
Marketers blamed the increase on supply chain challenges and scarcity in some locations, saying the product had become difficult to source in some neighbourhood markets.
The rising cost of LPG has forced many households to turn to alternative cooking fuels such as charcoal and firewood.
Stakeholders warned that the trend could undermine clean energy adoption and worsen environmental problems.
Meanwhile, NMDPRA data showed that major gas infrastructure projects aimed at improving gas transportation across the country are nearing completion.
Data from the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company showed that the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline Project had reached 93.40 per cent completion.
The OB3 River Niger Crossing stood at 93.88 per cent, while the ELPS Midline Compressor Project had reached 94.45 per cent completion.
The Odidi-Warri Expansion Project was 70.28 per cent complete, while the Escravos-Odidi project remained at an early stage, with 17.49 per cent completion.
NGIC described the AKK, OB3 and ELPS projects as “almost complete.”
Marketers Raise Alarm
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALGAM) recently warned that erratic supply and rising LPG costs could trigger scarcity and worsen hardship for millions of Nigerians.
The association said marketers currently pay between ₦25.2m and ₦26.2m for 20 metric tonnes of LPG.
In a statement signed by its National President, Edu Inyang, and Executive Secretary, Bassey Essien, the group described the situation as “sad and rather very pathetic.”
The statement read, “The citizens of Nigeria have woken up to buy cooking gas, which should be a social item, at a prohibitive cost of over ₦1,500 per kg, while the marketers are made to pay as much as ₦25,200,000 or, depending on the location, ₦26,200,000 for 20 metric tonnes of cooking gas.
“We feel that if the situation is not immediately checked, the citizens may rise against the owners of gas filling stations.”
The marketers said the situation had brought hardship to households, small businesses, food vendors and low-income families that rely on LPG.
NALPGAM warned that the crisis was undermining years of progress made through government policies aimed at deepening LPG penetration and promoting clean cooking energy.
Stakeholders said that unless distribution bottlenecks and market challenges are addressed, increased local production alone may not reduce prices for consumers.
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