Nigerians have expressed deep frustration over the sudden surge in the price of cooking gas, which now sells for as high as ₦2,000 per kilogram in some parts of the country.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has attributed the hike to temporary supply disruptions and market exploitation by some operators.
Speaking on Channels Television, NALPGAM President, Mr. Oladapo Olatunbosun, clarified that there had been no official increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), blaming the situation on “opportunistic marketers taking advantage of supply gaps” caused by a recent strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which disrupted operations at the Dangote Refinery.
Read Also:
FCCPC Raises Alarm Over Chemically Ripened Fruits, Adulterated Foods
“I sympathise with Nigerians because we never intended a situation like this,” Olatunbosun said. “Prices have not officially gone up, but some marketers are exploiting the shortage to make quick profits.”
Before the increase, LPG sold for between ₦1,200 and ₦1,300 per kilogram, but it now ranges from ₦1,700 to ₦2,000 — and in some areas, up to ₦3,000 — according to market reports.
Olatunbosun described the surge as “artificial and temporary,” assuring that supply would soon stabilise. He explained that the problem began when the Dangote Refinery — which had significantly improved domestic supply — suspended truck loading for maintenance.
“Before the strike, Dangote sent out about 50 trucks daily, serving the South-West and parts of the North. When maintenance began, loading slowed, and marketers turned to Apapa depots. The strike then halted vessel discharges and inspections, leading to shortages,” he said.
Although the strike has been called off and distribution has resumed, the NALPGAM president said it would take time to clear the backlog, particularly in the South-West, which accounts for the largest share of the country’s gas consumption.
He further noted that Nigeria’s LPG demand has increased from 1.2 million metric tonnes three years ago to nearly two million tonnes, causing supply strain whenever disruptions occur.
Olatunbosun advised consumers to buy gas only from registered and licensed plants to avoid inflated prices by third-party sellers, stressing that the recommended retail price should not exceed ₦1,300 per kilogram at certified outlets.
He assured that NALPGAM is working closely with relevant authorities to stabilise supply and restore normal pricing nationwide.
