Dangote marketers have slashed the depot price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, to N985 per kilogram, positioning themselves as the most affordable suppliers in Nigeria's depot market and intensifying rivalry among major LPG distributors. This reduction of N45 per kilogram below the average depot price of N1,030/kg quoted by competitors such as NIPCO, 11 Plc, Ardova Plc, and Techno Oil, and N65/kg under the highest market rate of N1,050/kg from Navgas and Rainoil, is expected to reshape pricing dynamics across the sector.
Market Impact and Retail Expectations
Industry analysts anticipate that this aggressive pricing strategy will compel other depot owners to lower their rates to retain customers, potentially triggering a cascade of price cuts throughout the supply chain. If competing depots follow suit, retail cooking gas prices could decline to approximately N1,000 per kilogram, offering much-needed relief to households and commercial users who have endured elevated costs for months. The latest adjustment follows similar competitive pricing moves in the petrol and diesel markets, where suppliers have repeatedly reduced prices in response to shifting market conditions and increased rivalry.
Current Depot Price Landscape
According to Petroleumprice.ng, as of July 6, 2026, NIPCO, 11 Plc, Ardova Plc, and Techno Oil sell LPG at N1,030 per kilogram, while Navgas and Rainoil maintain the highest depot price of N1,050/kg. The Dangote marketers' new rate of N985/kg undercuts these figures significantly, placing pressure on rivals to adjust their pricing structures to stay competitive. Market participants believe that sustained reductions at the depot level could improve affordability for millions of Nigerians, particularly as cooking gas remains a preferred clean cooking fuel for both households and businesses.
Regional Retail Price Variations
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recent report on LPG retail prices highlights significant regional disparities. For a 5kg cylinder, the highest prices are recorded in Lagos (N9,745.10), Nasarawa (N9,451.70), and Bayelsa (N9,422.74), while the lowest are in Anambra (N7,204.76), Ondo (N7,239.49), and Ogun (N7,825.75). For a 12.5kg cylinder, the highest prices are in Katsina (N25,596.71), Kogi (N24,558.25), and Gombe (N24,438.97), with the lowest in Ogun (N19,564.36), Bauchi (N20,178.87), and Anambra (N20,511.90). These figures underscore the uneven burden of cooking gas costs across the country.
Presidential Intervention and Price History
In response to the sustained price hikes, President Bola Tinubu reportedly convened an emergency meeting with the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Service (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to address the rising cost of cooking gas. Nigerians have faced recurring shortages and sharp price increases since late 2025, with LPG prices climbing from approximately N1,000 per kilogram in January 2026 to between N1,500 and N1,700 per kilogram by May. In some regions, prices reportedly surged to between N2,000 and N2,500 per kilogram by June, exacerbating the financial strain on households and businesses.
