Nigerians are grappling with disbelief following the recent hike in cooking gas prices.The price of a 12.5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, commonly referred to as cooking gas, skyrocketed to N25,000 this week, up from N17,500 the week prior.
According to market observations , 1kg of gas is now retailing for between N1,500 and N2,000, depending on the area. Bassey Essien, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, informed media outlets that the significant rise is attributable to recent disruptions instigated by the strike action of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
He stated,
Dangote Petroleum Refinery is presently the largest domestic supplier of cooking gas in Nigeria. The PENGASSAN-related crisis hampered distribution, preventing many dealers from restocking their inventory during this time.“What we are experiencing is a result of demand outpacing supply. The desire for cooking gas outweighs the availability. However, supply is expected to stabilize in the upcoming days once the dispute is resolved.”Investigations in Lagos and nearby regions revealed that numerous gas stations were closed due to a product shortage, compelling consumers to travel from one outlet to another in search of gas.
The scarcity has raised anxieties among many households as prices keep fluctuating. Just after the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a decrease in the average cost of refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas from N8,243.79 in July to N6,404.02 in August 2025, the price of cooking gas has surged in Lagos and Ogun states.This information comes from a market survey by The Guardian.
The report indicated that a kilogram of gas now retails for between N1,800 and N3,500, depending on the locale, pushing many households to explore alternatives.At Ijeshatedo in Lagos, one consumer described her experience as exhausting. “Retailers are charging between N3,000 and N3,500 per kilogram, while filling stations offer slightly lower rates at N2,500. Yet, the lines are unbearable, with hundreds of customers waiting,” she expressed in frustration. She recalled spending hours the previous day looking for gas before giving up. In her words, the situation has become “intolerable,” prompting some residents to turn to charcoal or electric options.In Atan, Ogun State, locals reported purchasing gas for between N2,000 and N2,500 per kilogram under challenging circumstances, whereas Igando residents mentioned prices ranging from N1,800 to N2,000 based on the area.
Olatunbosun Oladapo, the President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, mentioned to the Guardian that the price spike is a temporary disruption as a result of the PENGASSAN strike alongside internal maintenance at the Dangote Refinery. “Currently, I can state with confidence that the majority of our LPG supply is sourced locally. Imports are minimal. In fact, if you import now, it could incur losses as local supply has markedly increased,” Oladapo stated. He clarified that while the strike obstructed vessel berthing at Lagos terminals, the NLNG had significantly supplied Port Harcourt, shielding the South-South from the scarcity. He assured that normalcy is anticipated to return shortly as suppliers resume full operations.
Energy law specialist and Partner at Bloomfield LP, Dr. Ayodele Oni, criticized the persistent shortages even amidst increased gas production.He explained that higher upstream output does not necessarily lead to enhanced domestic LPG availability since a considerable fraction of the production is still exported.
He noted, “Domestic gas sales increased by approximately 22 percent year-on-year to about 65,632 metric tonnes in March 2025, but much of the LPG is sold through exports instead of being directed towards local packaging and retail.”