The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has risen sharply across Nigeria, with the retail cost climbing to about N1,500 per kilogram, up from N1,300 recorded in the previous month.
The latest increase represents a 14.3 per cent month-on-month rise, adding fresh pressure on households already struggling with the rising cost of living and forcing many consumers to reconsider their energy choices.
Across several locations, consumers are now paying significantly more to refill their gas cylinders, a development that has sparked concern among families, food vendors, small business owners, and operators in the hospitality sector who rely heavily on LPG for daily use.
Industry operators say the latest price surge is also being felt at the wholesale level, where the ex-depot price of the product has risen sharply in recent weeks.
Market checks indicate that the ex-depot cost of LPG has climbed to about N21 million per 20 metric tonnes, compared to N18 million in the previous month, representing a 16.7 per cent increase within a short period.
This increase at the depot level has had a direct effect on the retail market, as gas plant operators and marketers pass on the higher costs to final consumers.
As a result, many households now face tougher choices over how to manage cooking expenses, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where LPG has become a major domestic energy source.
The development is particularly concerning because cooking gas has over the years been promoted as a cleaner, safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to firewood, charcoal, and kerosene.
However, the latest rise in price is beginning to weaken that transition, with many consumers reportedly scaling back usage or turning to cheaper, less efficient, and often more hazardous alternatives.
Stakeholders in the sector say the current pricing trend is already affecting consumption patterns, with marketers reporting a noticeable drop in sales at gas plants across the country.
According to operators, many customers who previously bought larger quantities are now cutting down on their purchases, while some households are reverting to older energy sources due to affordability concerns.
The situation has raised fears that the country’s push for wider LPG adoption may suffer a setback if the rising cost is not addressed.
Industry sources say the current ex-depot pricing means that marketers now pay over N1.065 million per metric tonne, translating to more than N21 million for 20 metric tonnes, depending on the depot and logistics involved.
Major private depots and supply points are said to have adjusted their prices upward, creating a ripple effect throughout the downstream gas distribution chain.
By the time transportation costs, handling charges, storage, operational expenses and retailer margins are added, the final price paid by consumers rises even further.
As a result, retail prices now vary by location, but in many places the average price has climbed to around N1,500 per kilogramme, with some outlets selling above that depending on distance from supply depots and local demand conditions.
Industry leaders say one of the biggest concerns at the moment is the sharp decline in consumer purchasing power, which has made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to sustain regular LPG usage.
With food prices, transportation costs, electricity tariffs and other household expenses already stretching family budgets, the increase in cooking gas prices is seen as another major burden on consumers.
For many low- and middle-income earners, refilling a gas cylinder has become a more difficult financial decision than it was just a few months ago.
The rising price of LPG is also expected to affect micro-enterprises such as roadside food vendors, bakeries, restaurants, and caterers, many of whom rely on gas for day-to-day operations.
For such businesses, the cost increase could either reduce profit margins or force upward adjustments in the prices of goods and services, thereby contributing further to inflationary pressure.
Industry stakeholders have linked the latest increase to a combination of global market pressures, supply constraints, and foreign exchange-related cost pressures.
One of the key factors identified is the effect of ongoing tensions and instability in parts of the Middle East, which continue to influence global energy prices and international supply conditions.
Because LPG pricing is partly tied to international market realities, developments in major energy-producing regions often have a direct impact on domestic prices in import-dependent markets like Nigeria.
Although Nigeria is a gas-producing country, the local LPG market still faces supply and pricing challenges due to infrastructure limitations, market inefficiencies, and dependence on a mix of local and imported supply.
Operators say the global energy environment has not only affected cooking gas but also exerted pressure on other petroleum products, making price stability more difficult across the broader energy market.
Attention has also turned to domestic refining and supply channels, particularly the role of the Dangote Refinery in the LPG market.
According to market operators, the refinery is supplying LPG at a relatively lower price of around N16 million per 20 metric tonnes to its off-takers, a figure considered cheaper than prevailing market rates at some other depots.
However, marketers say the relief has been limited because the supply available through that channel is not yet sufficient to meet wider market demand.
By the time off-takers and middle-level distributors add their own margins and logistics costs, the expected price advantage at the consumer end is significantly reduced.
This means that while the refinery’s entry into the LPG supply chain has introduced some competitive potential, its current impact on nationwide retail pricing remains constrained by limited volume and distribution structure.
The issue of feedstock and crude availability has also been cited as part of the broader challenge affecting domestic refining operations.
Industry participants note that supply limitations within the local energy ecosystem continue to influence the pace at which refiners and marketers can stabilise product availability and pricing.
For consumers, however, the most immediate reality remains the rising cost of refilling gas cylinders and the shrinking affordability of an energy source that was once seen as a practical alternative for cleaner household cooking.
The latest increase has once again renewed calls for stronger policy support to deepen local LPG production, improve storage and distribution infrastructure, reduce supply bottlenecks, and cushion the effect of international market shocks on domestic users.
Stakeholders have repeatedly argued that if Nigeria is serious about promoting cleaner household energy, reducing deforestation, and discouraging reliance on biomass fuels, then LPG must remain affordable and accessible to ordinary citizens.
There are also calls for stronger intervention in the domestic gas market to support local supply expansion and reduce the volatility that often pushes prices beyond the reach of many households.
As the cost of cooking gas continues to rise, many Nigerians are expected to closely watch developments in the coming weeks to see whether market conditions improve or whether the current trend signals another prolonged period of energy cost pressure.
For now, the increase has added yet another layer of economic strain to households and businesses already navigating a difficult cost environment, raising concerns over affordability, energy access, and the broader impact on everyday living across the country.
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