Nigerians are expressing concern over the rising cost of cooking gas, with the price reaching about ₦1,500 per kilogramme in some outlets as households struggle with increasing living expenses.
The increase has added to pressure on families and small businesses that depend on Liquefied Petroleum Gas, commonly known as cooking gas, for daily cooking and commercial activities.
Recent market checks have shown significant variations in LPG prices across locations. While some filling stations have sold cooking gas between ₦1,650 and ₦1,900 per kilogramme, neighbourhood retailers and other outlets have charged as much as ₦2,400 per kilogramme.
In Lagos, some consumers reported paying around ₦1,650 per kilogramme, compared with about ₦1,100 in May. In Ibadan, prices were similarly reported to have risen from about ₦1,000 in May to between ₦1,600 and ₦1,900 at some outlets.
The price increases have forced some households to reconsider their cooking options, with residents in parts of the country reportedly returning to charcoal and firewood despite the health and environmental concerns associated with their use.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers has raised concerns about the cost of obtaining supplies. The association said marketers were paying between ₦25.2 million and ₦26.2 million for 20 metric tonnes of LPG, contributing to higher retail prices.
Marketers have also pointed to transportation and operating expenses as factors affecting the final price paid by consumers.
The increase comes despite growing domestic LPG production. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority indicated that local refineries and gas-processing plants accounted for the bulk of domestic supply between April 2025 and April 2026.
However, the increase in domestic supply has not yet translated into consistently lower retail prices across the country, leaving households and small businesses exposed to fluctuations in the market.
For many consumers, the rising cost of cooking gas is another addition to the broader cost-of-living pressures, as families attempt to balance energy expenses with food, transport and other household needs.
Marketers and industry stakeholders have continued to call for measures that would improve supply stability and reduce distribution costs, with the aim of making LPG more affordable and accessible to Nigerian households.
AbdulBasit Saba is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
