An investigation has revealed that the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has surged by 34.6 percent within a week, leaving many Nigerian households grappling with higher living costs.
Findings show that the average cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder now stands at ₦17,500, up from ₦12,750 recorded the previous week. In several retail outlets across Lagos and other parts of the country, LPG is currently being sold between ₦1,350 and ₦1,500 per kilogram, depending on location.
Industry stakeholders attribute the sharp rise to the ongoing strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which has disrupted gas supply and distribution channels. The shutdown of some plants has forced marketers to source products from secondary suppliers at higher costs.
The National Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) confirmed that several of its members have pending allocations with Dangote Refinery, the country’s dominant LPG supplier. The delays have forced marketers to turn to alternative sources, further driving up retail prices.
“Many depots are not loading due to the strike, and those that have products are selling at exorbitant rates. This is why the market price has gone up so sharply,” a marketer told our correspondent.
The ripple effect is already being felt nationwide as households cut back on consumption, with some reverting to charcoal, firewood, and kerosene as cheaper alternatives. Analysts warn that the price shock could worsen food inflation and deepen the cost-of-living crisis if urgent intervention is not taken.
Meanwhile, consumer advocacy groups have called on the Federal Government to engage stakeholders in resolving the industrial dispute and stabilizing supply. They also urged regulators to monitor pricing and protect Nigerians from profiteering in the downstream gas sector.