Amanze Chinonye
A severe shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has triggered sharp price hikes and long queues across major Nigerian cities, leaving households and small businesses struggling to adjust to yet another rise in living costs.
Prices of the popular 12.5kg cylinder have soared from about ₦17,500 to between ₦22,000 and ₦25,000 within a week, depending on location. In some fringe markets, residents report paying as high as ₦30,000 per refill, while per-kilogram prices now hover between ₦1,800, ₦2,500 and even #3, 000 a steep climb from the ₦1,000- ₦1,030 recorded just weeks earlier.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) strike, which briefly halted vessel berthing operations at Lagos terminals, significantly slowed gas imports and inland distribution. At the same time, scheduled maintenance at the Dangote Refinery disrupted local supply, compounding scarcity in the South-West and North.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelWhile the South-South region has seen fewer disruptions, thanks to ongoing allocations from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) facility in Bonny, Rivers State, inland cities such as Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna have reported dwindling stocks and erratic deliveries.
Despite a reported 22% rise in local LPG production, industry data shows that exports continue to outpace domestic allocations, further straining supplies for household consumption.
In Lagos, queues now spill onto major roads at refilling plants, while in other cities, some stations have shut down entirely. Residents describe rationing gas use or switching to cheaper and more polluting options like charcoal and firewood.
Small-scale food vendors say the spike is threatening their businesses, forcing menu cuts or price adjustments that consumers can barely absorb. “We used to refill at ₦1,250 per kg. Now it’s ₦2,200. Customers complain, but what can we do?” Said Fadekemi a food seller in igando area of Lagos.
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Reports indicate that Zamfara, Edo, Oyo, and Ogun states have also been hit, though the degree varies. In Zamfara, residents are seen moving around with empty cylinders in search of refilling outlets. In Edo, there’s no outright scarcity, but prices have doubled or tripled, reflecting speculative markups amid supply uncertainty.
Officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have attributed the disruption to temporary operational delays but assured that supply would stabilize in the coming days as the strike and refinery maintenance issues are resolved.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has urged the government to prioritize domestic LPG allocation over exports and fast-track logistics clearances to ease depot congestion in Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Economic Analysts warn that the prolonged shortage could deepen food inflation and worsen the hardship already facing low-income households. The crisis, they say, underscores Nigeria’s fragile energy supply chain and overdependence on a handful of major producers and import terminals.
“The cooking gas crisis is a clear reminder that without localized bottling plants and fair pricing mechanisms, Nigeria will continue to experience cyclical shortages,” one energy economist observed.
Unless decisive measures are taken to boost inland storage, expand NLNG’s domestic allocation, and regulate speculative pricing, the crisis could further erode household purchasing power and trigger yet another spike in food and service costs.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
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