Marketers Plan Imports as Cooking Gas Prices Surge 140%
Cooking gas prices in Nigeria have surged by about 140%, rising from ₦1,000 per kilogram in January/February to as high as ₦2,400 per kilogram in mid-June 2026.
Industry sources revealed that marketers are preparing to massively import Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to ease scarcity and bring down prices, with the regulator issuing licences to support the move.
The supply crunch was partly linked to reduced output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has been diverting LPG for internal use to boost petroleum production capacity rather than exporting.
An official of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) confirmed collaboration with the NNPCL and other stakeholders to improve availability.
Spokesman for the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Louis Ibah, said: “Marketers are stepping up their efforts and have committed to importing larger volumes of LPG, ensuring that supply meets demand in the weeks ahead.”
Ibah added that the minister has mandated NMDPRA to resolve supply challenges and urged Dangote Refinery to prioritise domestic LPG allocation. He stressed that the ban on LPG exports remains in place to stabilise prices.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) confirmed depot owners are planning imports, warning earlier that erratic supply and rising costs could spark public backlash against gas station operators.
Despite increased local production between April 2025 and April 2026, prices remain high, forcing many households to turn to charcoal and firewood as alternatives. Retailers say scarcity persists despite government assurances that normalcy is returning.