As of late May 2026, cooking gas (LPG) prices in Nigeria have surged sharply to around ₦1,500–₦1,700 per kg (or higher in some areas, nearing ₦2,000/kg in places like parts of Lagos), pushing a standard 12.5kg cylinder refill to over ₦18,000–₦21,000+ depending on location.
This represents a significant increase from earlier in 2026 (e.g., averages around ₦1,000–₦1,400/kg in March–April) and has led to widespread complaints from households, food vendors, and small businesses already strained by high inflation, fuel costs, and stagnant incomes.
Current Prices and Impacts
Retail prices: Reports indicate ₦1,500+/kg nationally, with variations—e.g., up to ₦1,600–₦2,000/kg in Lagos/Ogun areas and ₦1,600 in Abuja. A 5kg cylinder costs around ₦7,500–₦8,000+, while 12.5kg refills exceed ₦18,750.
Depot costs: Marketers pay ₦25.2–₦26.2 million for a 20-metric-tonne truck, with only limited depots holding stock.
Household effects: Many families are cutting meals, reducing usage, or switching to charcoal, firewood, or kerosene—options that are cheaper but dirtier, less safe, and environmentally harmful.
Food vendors are raising prices or struggling to operate. Low- and middle-income earners feel the pinch hardest amid broader cost-of-living pressures.
NBS data from March 2026 already showed sharp monthly rises (e.g., 5kg cylinder up ~12.6% to ₦7,655; 12.5kg up ~15.6% to ₦19,653), confirming the ongoing trend.
Causes:
Industry groups and reports point to a mix of factors:
Supply shortages: Limited availability at depots, production issues at key facilities (e.g., Dangote Refinery glitches), and reliance on imports. Domestic production (Dangote + NLNG) had covered much of demand previously, but disruptions have created gaps.
High depot and import costs: Rising ex-depot prices, logistics bottlenecks, and foreign exchange pressures.
Global influences: Middle East tensions/geopolitical issues raising crude and shipping costs, affecting LPG imports and benchmarks.
Local factors: High operational costs, trucking expenses (linked to petrol/diesel prices), and distribution challenges.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has issued strong warnings. In a recent statement by National President Edu Inyang and Executive Secretary Bassey Essien, they described the situation as “sad and pathetic,” noting prices over ₦1,500/kg and risks of public backlash against filling stations if unchecked. They highlighted reversals in clean energy gains, with households reverting to dirtier fuels.
Broader Context:
Nigeria has seen strong LPG growth (consumption from ~900,000 MT in 2021 to 2M MT in 2025), driven by efforts to shift from kerosene/firewood.
However, per capita use remains low (~1.8kg vs. much higher in other countries), and recent shocks threaten progress. This comes alongside other pressures like fuel prices (~₦1,350+/liter for petrol in some reports) and food inflation.
Calls for Action:
NALPGAM and others urge the federal government, NMDPRA, NNPC, and producers to:
1. Increase domestic LPG allocation and ensure equitable distribution.
2. Address importation/storage/distribution bottlenecks.
3. Invest in infrastructure and implement price-stabilizing measures (e.g., tax/levy relief for domestic use).
4. Boost local production capacity for long-term stability.
Without intervention, risks include higher food inflation, business closures, job losses, health/environmental setbacks, and potential social unrest.
The situation remains fluid, with prices varying by location and vendor. Households are adapting short-term through alternatives, but many call for government intervention to restore affordability for this essential item. For the most up-to-date local prices, check nearby vendors or official NBS updates.
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