Nigerian households are facing renewed economic hardship as the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has surged to as high as N2,400 per kilogramme in some retail outlets across major cities.
The sharp increase has compounded the existing cost-of-living crisis, with many families already struggling with soaring food prices and other essentials now reverting to less healthy and environmentally harmful alternatives such as firewood and charcoal.
Market surveys reveal significant variations: while some filling stations sell at between N1,650 and N1,900 per kg, neighbourhood retailers and black market operators are charging up to N2,400 per kg, depending on the location. A standard 12.5kg cylinder now costs well over N20,000 to refill in many areas.
Residents across Ibadan, Lagos, Ilorin, and other cities have expressed deep frustration. Mrs. Deborah Akintola in Ibadan lamented: “Last week, I bought gas at N1,600 per kilogramme. Now it is N1,900 and even over N2,000 in some shops... This increase is just too much. Everything, including foodstuffs, is expensive.”
In Lagos, similar stories abound. Many households are adjusting cooking habits, reducing usage, or switching to charcoal to cope with the relentless price hikes.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has raised concerns over erratic supply and rising depot prices, with marketers paying between N25.2 million and N26.2 million for 20 metric tonnes. Factors contributing to the surge include high transportation and operational costs, logistics challenges, naira depreciation, and lingering supply constraints despite increased domestic production.
This development undermines government efforts to promote clean cooking energy and raises fears of broader public discontent if not urgently addressed.