Cooking Gas Price Hits ₦2,400/Kg

Nigerians in major cities are groaning under the rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, commonly called cooking gas, as the price has climbed to as high as ₦2,400 per kilogramme in some retail outlets.

The sharp increase has worsened hardship for households already struggling with high food prices, transport costs and other living expenses.

Findings by Punch showed that while some filling stations sold cooking gas between ₦1,650 and ₦1,900 per kilogramme, neighbourhood retailers and black market operators charged as much as ₦2,400 per kilogramme, depending on location.

A housewife in Ibadan, Mrs Deborah Akintola, who spoke with Punch, said the increase had become unbearable.

“Last week, I bought gas at Iyana Church Gasland at ₦1,600 per kilogramme. Now I hear it is ₦1,900 and even over ₦2,000 in some shops. In May, it was ₦1,000. This increase is just too much. Everything, including foodstuffs, is expensive,” she said.

At Bovas Filling Station in the Gbagi area of Ibadan, cooking gas was sold at ₦1,650 per kilogramme on Thursday.

A mother of two, Mary Dada, also lamented the constant price changes.

“I don’t understand why the price keeps going up. Every month, there is one increase or another. It’s just annoying,” she said.

Lagos Households Adjust Cooking Habits

In Lagos, residents also complained about the rising cost.

Ibrahim Ozigis, who bought gas at Enyo Filling Station, Iju-Ishaga, said he paid ₦1,650 per kilogramme this month, compared to ₦1,100 in May.

A resident of Isheri-Osun, Desire Billy, said many households were now changing their cooking habits because of the high price.

“It has got to a point where you buy gas and cannot use it to cook beans. Last week, I bought it at ₦1,500 at AP Filling Station, whereas in February I bought it for ₦1,200. It keeps increasing,” she said.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, some residents said they had stopped using cooking gas and switched to charcoal. Kemisola Nitta said some dealers had suspended sales due to price volatility.

“We have stopped using gas and opted for charcoal. I think it is cheaper,” she said.

Marketers Blame Supply, Costs

Despite increased domestic LPG production and reduced dependence on imports, prices have continued to rise.

Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that local production from refineries and gas processing plants accounted for most of Nigeria’s LPG supply between April 2025 and April 2026.

However, the higher local supply has not translated into lower prices for consumers.

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) recently warned of erratic supply and rising costs.

In a statement signed by its National President, Edu Inyang, and Executive Secretary, Bassey Essien, the association said marketers now pay between ₦25.2m and ₦26.2m for 20 metric tonnes of LPG.

“The citizens of Nigeria now have to buy cooking gas, which should be a social commodity, at a prohibitive cost of over N1,500 per kilogramme,” the association stated.

Reseller Cites Transport Costs

A gas reseller in Ibadan, Opeyemi Olaire, said transport and operating costs were responsible for high retail prices in some areas.

“I sell at ₦2,400 per kilogramme. If I buy from Gasland at ₦1,700 and use an okada to transport it for ₦600, how much do you want me to sell it for? The government should look for a way to bring the price down,” she said.

NALPGAM warned that the rising cost could trigger public anger and undermine government efforts to promote clean cooking energy.

The persistent increase is forcing many low-income families and small businesses to seek cheaper, less environmentally friendly alternatives such as firewood and charcoal.