Cooking Gas Prices Surge at Dangote and Private Depots Ahead of Easter Holiday
Nigerian households are bracing for increased expenses as cooking gas prices have risen significantly across major depots in the lead-up to the Easter holiday. The price adjustments, implemented by key industry players including Dangote Refinery and private depot operators, are expected to place fresh financial pressure on consumers already grappling with economic challenges.
Depot Price Increases Signal Retail Adjustments
Data obtained from petroleum pricing platforms reveals substantial increases at various depots nationwide. NIPCO Lagos has raised its depot price to N1,000, marking a N45 increase representing a 4.71% jump. NAVGAS recorded an even sharper increase, with prices climbing to N1,025 after adding N100, which translates to a significant 10.81% rise.
Dangote Refinery has adjusted its cooking gas price to N845, reflecting a N15 increase or 1.81% hike. In contrast, PPMC maintained its rate at N945 with no changes recorded. The average depot price now stands at approximately N1,000, signaling imminent adjustments at the retail level where consumers purchase their cooking gas.
Retail Market Impact and Consumer Burden
At the retail end, cooking gas prices have already reached between N1,300 and N1,400 per kilogram. This translates to substantial costs for household cylinders:
- 3kg cylinder: N3,900
- 5kg cylinder: N6,500
- 6kg cylinder: N7,800
- 10kg cylinder: N13,000
- 12.5kg cylinder: N16,250
- 15kg cylinder: N19,500
- 18kg cylinder: N23,400
- 20kg cylinder: N26,000
- 45kg cylinder: N58,500
These price increases come despite recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing some price moderation earlier in the year. According to NBS reports, the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder stood at N5,404.19 in January 2026, representing only a 0.82% increase from December 2025. Year-on-year comparisons showed a more significant 23.25% decrease from January 2025 prices.
Regional Price Variations and Expert Analysis
The price increases are not uniform across Nigeria, with certain states experiencing higher costs than others. Jigawa State recorded the highest 5kg refill price at N5,892.88, followed closely by Abia State at N5,829.17 and Akwa Ibom at N5,789.85. Other states with elevated prices include Enugu, Kaduna, Delta, Osun, Nasarawa, Ekiti, and Kogi.
Industry expert Olatunbosun Oladapo, immediate past president of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, has provided context for the current price situation. Oladapo identified opportunistic dealers and temporary supply disruptions as primary drivers of the price hike. He characterized the current surge as artificial and temporary, assuring consumers that normalcy would return as supply conditions improve.
The global liquefied petroleum gas market has been affected by international conflicts and supply chain issues, with the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran creating ripple effects that reach Nigerian consumers. These international factors, combined with domestic market dynamics, have created the perfect storm for price increases just as families prepare for Easter celebrations.
As Nigerian households adjust their budgets for the holiday season, industry observers will be monitoring whether Oladapo's prediction of returning price stability materializes in the coming weeks. The timing of these increases, coinciding with a major religious holiday when cooking demands typically increase, adds particular strain to household finances across the nation.
