Nigerians are expressing concern as the price of cooking gas continues to rise, with a kilogram now selling for as high as ₦2,000 in some areas. However, gas marketers insist that this increase has nothing to do with any official price adjustment.
According to the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), the sudden spike is due to temporary supply disruptions and market manipulation by some operators. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, NALPGAM President Oladapo Olatunbosun clarified that there has been no formal increment in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
He explained that the current situation is largely artificial, caused by opportunistic marketers exploiting the shortfall created by recent supply chain issues. The disruption began when the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) embarked on a strike affecting the Dangote Refinery, which had previously improved local gas supply.
During the refinery’s maintenance period, truck loading slowed significantly, forcing marketers to turn to Apapa depots for supply. Unfortunately, the PENGASSAN strike further delayed vessel discharges and inspections, leading to widespread shortages. Olatunbosun emphasized that the situation is temporary, and normal supply is expected to resume soon.
He also highlighted that Nigeria’s LPG consumption has surged from 1.2 million metric tonnes to almost two million in three years, putting pressure on supply whenever disruptions occur.
Furthermore, he urged consumers to buy directly from registered gas plants to avoid inflated prices. According to him, legitimate dealers still sell between ₦1,000 and ₦1,300 per kilogram, depending on location. Olatunbosun assured Nigerians that efforts are underway to stabilize supply and restore normal pricing in the coming days.
