Cooking Gas Prices Skyrocket in Nigeria: Understanding the Reasons Behind the Hike

Cooking Gas Prices Skyrocket in Nigeria: Understanding the Reasons Behind the Hike

Nigerians are facing a significant increase in cooking gas prices, with a kilogram selling for as high as ₦2,000 in some parts of the country. According to the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), the price hike is not due to an official price adjustment but rather temporary supply disruptions and market exploitation by some operators .

The recent strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against the Dangote Refinery led to a shortage in supply, causing prices to rise. The strike disrupted vessel discharges and inspections, drying up stocks and worsening the scarcity.
Some marketers are taking advantage of the supply gap to make undue profits, charging exorbitant prices. NALPGAM’s National President, Oladapo Olatunbosun, condemned this practice, stating that it’s wrong for marketers to cash in on the situation .
The refinery’s maintenance and renovation also contributed to the supply shortage, as trucks spent up to 14 days at the Dangote yard waiting to load products .

The price hike has significant implications for Nigerian households, many of whom rely on cooking gas as a primary source of energy. The increased cost may force some households to revert to using firewood or charcoal, which can have negative health and environmental impacts .

NALPGAM has assured Nigerians that normalcy will return in a few days, as supply and distribution normalize. The association has also called on marketers to refrain from price gouging and to sell at reasonable prices .

Previous Prices :₦1,200-₦1,300 per kilogram
Current Prices: ₦1,700-₦2,000 per kilogram, with some areas selling as high as ₦3,000 per kilogram

The situation is expected to stabilize soon, with prices returning to normal levels. However, the incident highlights the need for improved supply chain resilience and better regulation of the cooking gas market to prevent such price fluctuations in the future .