LPG price crisis deepens as marketers warn of looming public outrage

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has raised alarm over the worsening shortage and soaring price of cooking gas across the country

The association warned that the situation could trigger public anger and reverse Nigeria’s clean energy progress.

This is contained in a joint statement signed by the association’s President, Mr Edu Inyang, and Executive Secretary, Mr. Bassey, NALPGAM on Sunday in Lagos.

The association described the current state of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply as “pathetic and unacceptable,” revealing that consumers now buy cooking gas at over N1,500 per kilogram nationwide.

The association disclosed that marketers currently pay between N25.2 million and N26.2 million for a 20-metric-ton truck of LPG, depending on location, forcing retail prices beyond the reach of average Nigerians.

According to the statement, the rising cost and erratic supply of cooking gas have imposed severe hardship on millions of households, food vendors, small businesses, and low-income earners who depend on LPG for daily cooking and survival.

Our Energy Correspondent, National, reports that NALPGAM warned that the crisis is threatening years of progress made by the Federal Government and private investors in promoting clean cooking energy as an alternative to firewood, charcoal, and kerosene.

The marketers said many Nigerians who previously embraced cooking gas are now unable to refill their cylinders, while several families are returning to the use of firewood and charcoal despite the environmental and health risks associated with them.

The association also expressed concern over the challenges faced by marketers nationwide, including persistent supply shortages, high depot prices, logistics bottlenecks, and rising operational costs.

It warned that if urgent action is not taken, the crisis could worsen food inflation, force small LPG businesses to shut down, lead to job losses, discourage investment, and undermine Nigeria’s clean energy and climate goals.

NALPGAM called on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), NNPC Ltd, domestic producers, terminal operators, and other stakeholders to urgently intervene and stabilize the LPG market.

Among its recommendations, the association demanded improved LPG availability nationwide, increased domestic gas allocation, transparent distribution, reduction of importation and storage bottlenecks, strategic price stabilization measures, and investment in critical infrastructure.

“We cannot stand by and watch millions of Nigerian families suffer in silence while access to clean cooking energy becomes increasingly unaffordable,” the statement said.

NALPGAM added that it remains ready to collaborate with government agencies and industry stakeholders to develop lasting solutions that will guarantee stable supply and affordable pricing of cooking gas in Nigeria.

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