Empty Promises, Full Prices: Nigerians Fume As Cooking Gas Stays Sky-High

Despite repeated assurances from marketers that prices would fall back to pre-October levels of ₦950–₦1,000 per kilogram, the cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has remained stubbornly high across major Nigerian cities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A market survey by Vanguard revealed that as of early November, cooking gas was still being sold between ₦1,200 and ₦1,400 per kilogram at several outlets in Lagos.

At Gasland, Igando, and Mac Rich Gas Plant in Cele-Okota, a kilogram of LPG cost ₦1,200 on Sunday, while other retailers across the metropolis charged as high as ₦1,300 to ₦1,400 depending on location.

One retailer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lamented the situation:

“Last month, we sold at ₦900 to ₦950 per kilogram. Now we retail at ₦1,200. That’s the reality of the market today. We just hope prices drop soon.”

Bulk buyers purchasing between 150kg and 200kg now pay around ₦1,104 per kilogram — a clear sign that supply and distribution challenges persist.

Marketers Cite Supply Backlog, Refinery Maintenance

In a phone interview, the outgoing President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Mr. Olatunbosun Oladapo, linked the sustained high prices to supply backlogs, ongoing refinery maintenance, and logistical constraints.

“There is a backlog of unsupplied products, coupled with refinery logistics and maintenance issues. However, we are confident normalcy will return in the coming weeks,” he assured.

Oladapo expressed optimism that the entry of Seplat Energy’s gas into the domestic market — along with increased supply from the Dangote Refinery and other ongoing gas projects — would stabilise the market.

“With additional gas from Seplat and Dangote, coupled with new infrastructure projects, supply bottlenecks will ease and prices will come down nationwide,” he added.

Cooking Gas Consumption Doubles in Four Years

Speaking at NALPGAM’s 38th Annual General Meeting, Oladapo revealed that national LPG consumption had risen sharply from about 900,000 metric tonnes in 2021 to 2 million metric tonnes in 2025.

“Four years ago, consumption stood between 900,000 and 1 million metric tonnes. Today, it has doubled to around 2 million. By the first quarter of next year, we expect it to reach 3 million metric tonnes annually,” he said.

He credited the growth to increased private-sector investment, closer collaboration with government agencies, and greater public adoption of gas as a household energy source.

Reaffirming NALPGAM’s commitment to the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, Oladapo said the association remains focused on deepening gas utilisation and supporting Nigeria’s transition to a gas-powered economy.

“Our partnership with the Federal Government under the Decade of Gas has helped strengthen the foundation for LPG growth in Nigeria,” he concluded.