The cost of refilling a 12.5kg cooking gas cylinder has jumped to N25,000 this week across Nigeria, forcing many households to scramble for affordable supply amid distribution challenges.
Checks across major cities reveal that 1kg of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) now sells between N1,500 and N2,000 depending on the region, a significant increase from last week’s prices.
The shortage has been largely attributed to industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which disrupted delivery schedules from key suppliers.
According to Mr. Bassey Essien, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the country’s largest local LPG producer, has had its distribution channels severely affected by the strike.
Across Lagos and its environs, several gas plants were closed, causing consumers to move from outlet to outlet in search of cooking gas. The rising price and limited availability put additional strain on households already juggling rising living costs.
Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, recently disclosed that the refinery currently produces about 2,000 tonnes of LPG daily. He expressed concern over Nigeria’s energy poverty and vowed to explore direct sales to consumers to encourage a transition from traditional fuels like firewood and kerosene to LPG.
NLNG Limited, a previous major supplier of butane for domestic use, reaffirmed its commitment to supplying all locally consumed butane since 2022. They stressed the efforts to expand delivery terminals and ensure stable distribution across regions including Lagos, Rivers, and Delta states.
While the industrial dispute continues to affect LPG availability, stakeholders remain hopeful that resolution in the coming days will stabilize prices.
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