The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has remained stubbornly high across major cities, despite assurances by marketers that costs would return to pre-October levels of between ₦950 and ₦1,000 per kilogram.
Findings by Vanguard revealed that the product continues to sell for between ₦1,200 and ₦1,400 per kilogram in several outlets across Lagos.
At Gasland, Igando, in Ikotun, and Mac Rich Gas Plant at Cele-Okota, the price per kilogram stood at ₦1,200 on Sunday. Other gas plants within the metropolis sold the product for as high as ₦1,300 to ₦1,400, depending on the location.
A gas retailer who preferred anonymity said, “As of last month, we sold cooking gas at ₦900 to ₦950 per kg. Presently, we retail at ₦1,200. This is the situation we find ourselves in the country. We hope the price drops further in the coming weeks.”
Further investigations revealed that bulk buyers purchasing between 150kg and 200kg now pay ₦1,104 per kilogram, reflecting continued supply and distribution challenges.
Marketers Blame Logistics, Supply Backlog
In a telephone interview, the outgoing President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Mr. Olatunbosun Oladapo, attributed the persistent high cost to supply backlogs, refinery maintenance, and logistical constraints.
“There is a backlog of unsupplied products, coupled with maintenance and refinery logistics. However, we are confident that normalcy will return in the coming weeks,” Oladapo said.
He expressed optimism that prices would ease once Seplat Energy’s gas enters the domestic market and with increased production from the Dangote Refinery and other ongoing gas infrastructure projects.
According to Oladapo, the combination of new gas sources from Seplat Energy, Dangote Refinery, and ongoing investments in gas infrastructure will help address supply bottlenecks and bring prices down nationwide.
“The entry of Seplat Energy gas into the market, along with improved supply from Dangote and other producers, will stabilise the market and ease the pressure,” he added.
Cooking Gas Consumption Doubles In Four Years
Speaking at the association’s 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM), Oladapo noted a significant rise in LPG consumption from 900,000 metric tonnes in 2021 to 2 million metric tonnes in 2025.
He said, “About four years ago, national consumption of LPG was between 900,000 and 1 million metric tonnes. Today, it has risen to 2 million metric tonnes.
“By the first quarter of next year, LPG consumption will hit 3 million metric tonnes per annum.”
He attributed the growth to private sector investment, collaboration with government agencies, and greater public acceptance of gas as a domestic energy source.
Oladapo reaffirmed NALPGAM’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, aimed at deepening gas utilisation and making Nigeria a major gas economy.
“Through our collaboration with the Federal Government under the Decade of Gas initiative, we have been able to deepen the future of LPG in Nigeria,” he said.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
