Cooking Gas Price Jumps to ₦1,500 per Kilogram in Nigeria
The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, commonly known as cooking gas, has risen sharply in Nigeria, reaching ₦1,500 per kilogram. This represents a significant 14.3% increase from last month's rate of ₦1,300 per kilogram, exacerbating the ongoing energy crisis in the country.
Wholesale Depot Prices Also Climb
At the wholesale level, depot prices have seen an even steeper rise, increasing by 16.7% compared to last month. The cost for 20 metric tonnes of cooking gas has escalated from ₦18 million to ₦21 million, according to industry reports.
Barrister Inyang Edu, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, confirmed this price hike, stating that the depot price has indeed reached ₦21 million. He emphasized that this surge has drastically reduced the purchasing power of Nigerian consumers, leading to lower sales at gas plants as many turn to alternative energy sources.
Causes of the Price Increase
Inyang Edu attributed the sharp increase in cooking gas prices to the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has disrupted oil production and affected not only LPG but also other petroleum products. He noted that this geopolitical tension continues to hamper prices, coupled with local supply challenges.
Regarding supply from the Dangote refinery, Inyang explained that while the refinery sells LPG at a cheaper rate of about ₦16 million for 20 metric tonnes to its off-takers, markups by intermediaries push prices higher for marketers. He added that Dangote's supply is limited, as the refinery only receives five out of the 13 crude oil allocations it requires, forcing it to import crude oil for refining in Nigeria.
Historical Volatility and Import Dependence
Cooking gas prices in Nigeria have historically been volatile, fluctuating with global market conditions and local logistics bottlenecks. Despite Nigeria being the largest gas producer in Africa, the country still imports over 60% of its LPG due to inadequate processing and storage facilities.
Last year, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that the average price to refill a 12.5-kilogram gas cylinder jumped from ₦9,000 in October 2023 to around ₦16,000 in August 2025, marking a 78% increase in under two years. This trend highlights the persistent challenges in the sector and the impact on household budgets.
