Energy marketers have warned that the price of cooking gas could climb to N2,000 per kilogram in some parts of Nigeria as a supply crisis deepens. The warning comes amid shrinking stocks of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at depots nationwide, coupled with rising household demand. Experts have hinted that the limited supply could signal further price increases.
Low Cooking Gas Supply
According to the most recent April 2026 factsheet released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigeria's LPG supply now provides only 13 days of sufficiency, placing it among the lowest of all major petroleum products. The NMDPRA's figures indicate that the daily LPG consumption rate averaged 4,818 metric tonnes for April, which exceeds the average daily supply rate of 4,545 metric tonnes.
The report also indicated that LPG ranks among the petroleum products with the lowest levels of national stock sufficiency. The regulator acknowledged that LPG demand is growing and exceeding supply, even with increased output from domestic gas processing facilities and local refineries. According to industry marketers, the current scarcity is impacting depots and retail outlets across the nation, particularly in Lagos, where LPG volumes have tightened considerably in recent days.
Cooking Gas Hits N1,500
Multiple market sources reported that the unavailability of the product at main supply points has resulted in sharp price increases by retailers. Many outlets are already selling cooking gas at over N1,500 per kilogram, up from the average price of N1,300. The NMDPRA in April also revealed that retail prices ranged between N1,100 and N1,450 per kilogram nationwide, although marketers said that in many areas the prevailing market price is already higher than this range due to the tight supply situation.
Operators attributed the current price surge to depleted stock levels at depots, reduced loading activities, and the limited availability of tickets from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is now one of the major suppliers of LPG in Nigeria. Petroleumprice.ng reports that at depots, only Navgas Limited is actively supplying the Lagos market, with ex-depot prices hovering around N1,200 per kilogram.
Market Data and Marketer Views
Available market data reveals that LPG from Dangote Refinery sold for N1,060 per kilogram, while Ardova Plc sold for N1,065 per kilogram and Navgas for N1,085 per kilogram. A marketer who preferred not to be named said: "The market is under serious pressure because supply is failing to meet demand. Retailers are already crossing N1,500 per kilogram in some areas, and if the trend continues, N2,000 per kilogram may not be out of reach."
Another operator argued that the 13 days of supply sufficiency indicated in the NMDPRA figures do not accurately reflect the actual availability at depots currently observed by marketers. "The figures in the paper are not exactly what the marketers are seeing on the ground. There is still severe shortage of product at loading points," the operator said.
Cheapest States to Buy Cooking Gas
Legit.ng earlier reported that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed that the average retail price of cooking gas declined in December 2025. In its price watch report, Kaduna recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N5,838.66, followed by Jigawa (N5,825.09) and Osun (N5,777.80). Meanwhile, Katsina had the lowest price at N4,855.80, with Gombe and Cross River also among the cheapest states.
