Nigerians have expressed frustration over the sharp rise 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) said the hike was caused by temporary supply disruptions and market exploitation by some operators.
Speaking on Channels Television, NALPGAM President, Mr. Oladapo Olatunbosun, said there had been no official increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
He blamed the situation on “opportunistic marketers taking advantage of supply gaps” following a recent strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which disrupted operations at the Dangote Refinery.
“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. The current price now ranges from ₦1,700 to ₦2,000, and in some cases up to ₦3,000, according to local reports.
Olatunbosun described the rise as “artificial and temporary,” saying supply would soon stabilise. He explained that the problem started when the Dangote Refinery — which had 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 ended and distribution resumed, Olatunbosun said it would take time to clear the backlog, especially in the South-West, which consumes the largest share of the country’s gas.
Nigeria’s LPG consumption has risen from 1.2 million metric tonnes three years ago to nearly two million tonnes, further straining supply whenever disruptions occur.
He advised consumers to buy directly from registered gas plants to avoid inflated prices charged by third-party sellers, adding that prices at licensed plants should not exceed ₦1,300 per kilogram.
Olatunbosun said NALPGAM was working with relevant authorities to stabilise supply and restore normal pricing across the country.