The cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has skyrocketed to ₦25,000, up from ₦17,500 just last week.
A market survey by Vanguard revealed that the price of 1kg of cooking gas now ranges between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000, depending on the location.
Speaking to Vanguard over the phone, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Mr. Bassey Essien, explained that the recent industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) disrupted the distribution of the product.
According to him, “Dangote Petroleum Refinery is currently the biggest local supplier of cooking gas in Nigeria. The PENGASSAN strike disrupted supply, preventing many dealers from restocking. What we’re seeing now is the result of demand exceeding supply. However, supply should stabilize soon since the crisis has been resolved.”
Vanguard also found that several gas plants in Lagos and surrounding areas were shut down due to a lack of product, forcing many consumers to move around in search of gas.
Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, recently disclosed that the Dangote Refinery produces about 2,000 tonnes of LPG daily and plans to increase output to meet national demand.
Expressing concern about Nigeria’s energy challenges, Dangote said, “If distributors don’t reduce prices, we’ll consider selling directly to consumers. That way, more people can switch from using firewood or kerosene to LPG for cooking.”
Before Dangote’s entry into the market, most of Nigeria’s LPG demand was met by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).
In a recent statement, NLNG reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Nigerians have access to clean and reliable energy. “Since 2007, through our Domestic LPG (DLPG) scheme, we’ve been supplying Butane — commonly known as cooking gas — to homes across Nigeria,” the company stated.
“In 2022, we made a bold move by committing 100% of our Butane production to meet Nigeria’s domestic needs. Today, all of our Butane output is fully consumed locally.”
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To ensure efficient distribution, NLNG supplies Butane to selected partners (off-takers) through approved coastal terminals located in Lagos and Rivers States, with new terminals being reviewed in Delta State and plans to expand to more regions soon.
The company added that it has also deployed a dedicated vessel to ensure regular and reliable deliveries. “This step will make cooking gas more available, accessible, affordable, and acceptable for households across Nigeria,” NLNG said.
