The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has raised concerns over a sharp increase in cooking gas prices and inconsistent supply across the country, warning that millions of households and small businesses may soon face severe hardship if urgent steps are not taken.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Edu Inyang, and Executive Secretary, Bassey Essien, the association said Nigerians are now paying above N1,500 per kilogram of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), while marketers are purchasing 20 metric tons at between N25.2 million and N26.2 million depending on location.
“It is sad and rather very pathetic to inform the general public that the citizens of Nigeria have woken up to buy cooking gas which should be a social item at a prohibitive cost of over N1,500 per kg,” the association said.
NALPGAM warned that the worsening situation could trigger public anger at gas retail outlets if not urgently addressed, cautioning that citizens might react against filling station operators amid rising frustration.
The group said its members are battling widespread supply shortages, high depot prices, logistics difficulties, and escalating operational costs.
It added that where product is available, it is sold at rates beyond the reach of many Nigerians.
According to the association, the development is reversing gains made under Nigeria’s clean energy transition, which had encouraged households to move away from kerosene, charcoal, and firewood.
“Households are struggling to refill cylinders, small businesses are folding under rising energy costs while many families are reverting to firewood and charcoal despite the serious implications for public health, environmental degradation, and deforestation,” the statement added.
NALPGAM noted that although domestic LPG supply had previously improved—driven by local producers such as Dangote Refinery and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, which supplied about 87 per cent of cooking gas in 2025—the recent disruption has worsened market conditions.
It also observed that Nigeria’s LPG consumption rose from 900,000 metric tonnes in 2021 to about two million metric tonnes in 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing LPG markets in Africa.
The association warned that if the current trend continues, it could have wider economic consequences, including rising inflation, closure of small retail businesses, job losses, reduced investor confidence, and setbacks to clean energy targets.
“If urgent and coordinated actions are not taken immediately, the current crisis could trigger broader consequences, including accelerated food inflation, the collapse of small-scale LPG retail businesses, job losses, reduced investor confidence, and a significant setback to Nigeria’s clean energy and climate commitments,” it said.
NALPGAM further noted that Nigeria’s per capita LPG consumption remains low at about 1.8kg, compared to nearly 500kg in Saudi Arabia.
It called on stakeholders including the federal government, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and NNPC Limited to urgently intervene by increasing domestic supply allocation, improving distribution efficiency, and stabilising prices.
The association also urged investment in storage and distribution infrastructure to prevent future supply shocks, stressing that immediate action is needed to protect households and sustain Nigeria’s clean energy drive.
“We cannot stand by and watch millions of Nigerian families suffer in silence while access to clean cooking energy becomes increasingly difficult and unaffordable,” it said.
“For years, government and industry operators have worked to move Nigerians away from unsafe fuels. Those gains are now under serious threat,” NALPGAM added.
The group said it remained open to collaboration with stakeholders but insisted that decisive measures are required without delay.
