ABUJA, June 1 – Prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly used for cooking, have continued to rise across Nigeria even as domestic production increases and imports decline, according to industry data.
Figures from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) show that local production from refineries and gas processing plants now accounts for the bulk of LPG supply in the country and this has reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported cooking gas over the past year.
Between April 2025 and April 2026, domestic LPG supply averaged between 3,300 and 4,500 tonnes per day, with March and April 2026 recording about 4,500 tonnes daily. During the same period, imports dropped sharply. Imported volumes fell to around 200 tonnes per day in March 2026, compared with over 1,500 tonnes per day in late 2025.
Overall supply levels fluctuated between 4,200 and 5,200 tonnes daily, peaking in December 2025 before easing slightly in 2026. Despite this improved local output, consumers continue to face rising prices, with cooking gas now selling for as high as N2,000 per kilogramme in some parts of the country. Prices had previously been below N1,000 per kilogramme in many areas.
Marketers have linked the increase to distribution challenges and supply shortages in certain locations, making the product harder to access in some communities.
The growth in domestic supply has been supported by stronger output from gas processing facilities and improved refining activity, including contributions linked to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Meanwhile, several major gas infrastructure projects aimed at improving nationwide distribution are nearing completion including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano pipeline, OB3 River Niger crossing, ELPS Midline Compressor project, and other related developments, all of which are expected to strengthen gas transportation capacity once completed.
Industry stakeholders say that while rising local production is a positive development, it may not immediately translate into lower prices unless distribution bottlenecks are addressed.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has also raised concerns over rising costs and irregular supply, warning that the situation is putting pressure on households, small businesses, and food vendors who rely heavily on LPG.
The association also said marketers are currently paying between N25.2 million and N26.2 million for 20 metric tonnes of cooking gas, describing the situation as increasingly difficult for operators and consumers alike.
NALPGAM warned that if the challenges persist, the rising cost of LPG could worsen living conditions and undermine ongoing efforts to promote cleaner and more efficient cooking energy across the country.
