Another Hike! Cooking Gas Hits ₦2,400/Kg

The rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, is placing additional financial pressure on households across major Nigerian cities, with retail prices climbing as high as ₦2,400 per kilogramme in some locations.

According to findings by Ireporter Online, the latest price surge has compounded the challenges faced by families already grappling with escalating food prices, transportation costs and other essential living expenses.

Market observations revealed that while some filling stations continue to sell cooking gas at prices ranging between ₦1,650 and ₦1,900 per kilogramme, neighbourhood retailers and independent vendors have raised prices to as much as ₦2,400 per kilogramme, depending on the area.

Residents in Ibadan expressed frustration over the rapid increase, noting that prices have nearly doubled within a few months. One consumer recalled purchasing cooking gas at ₦1,600 per kilogramme only a week earlier, only to discover that the same product now sells for between ₦1,900 and over ₦2,000 in several outlets. She lamented that the continuous rise in gas prices, coupled with soaring food costs, has made daily living increasingly difficult.

At some filling stations in Ibadan, cooking gas was still available at around ₦1,650 per kilogramme, but many consumers complained that the frequent price adjustments have made household budgeting almost impossible.

Similar concerns were raised in Lagos, where residents reported significant increases compared to previous months. A customer who recently purchased gas at a filling station in Iju-Ishaga said the price had risen from ₦1,100 per kilogramme in May to ₦1,650 this month.

The soaring prices are also forcing families to alter their cooking habits. Some residents disclosed that they now avoid preparing meals that require long cooking times in order to conserve gas, while others noted that prices have steadily increased from about ₦1,200 per kilogramme earlier in the year to around ₦1,500 or more in recent weeks.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, several households have reportedly abandoned cooking gas entirely in favour of charcoal, which they consider a more affordable alternative. Some consumers also claimed that certain dealers temporarily suspended sales because of unstable market prices.

Despite increased domestic production and a reduced reliance on imported LPG, retail prices have continued to climb. Data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority indicated that local refineries and gas processing plants accounted for the bulk of the country’s LPG supply between April 2025 and April 2026, yet consumers have seen little relief at the point of purchase.

Industry stakeholders have attributed the persistent increase to erratic supply conditions and rising operational costs. The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers disclosed that marketers now pay between ₦25.2 million and ₦26.2 million for 20 metric tonnes of LPG, a development it says has made cooking gas increasingly unaffordable for ordinary Nigerians.

The association warned that a commodity regarded as essential for clean cooking should not be priced beyond the reach of citizens, stressing that the continued escalation could fuel public dissatisfaction and undermine efforts to promote cleaner energy sources.

A gas retailer in Ibadan also blamed transportation and logistics expenses for the high prices charged by neighbourhood vendors, explaining that the cost of moving gas cylinders from suppliers significantly increases the final retail price.

As the upward trend persists, many low-income households and small businesses are increasingly turning to cheaper alternatives such as charcoal and firewood, raising concerns about the environmental and health implications of a shift away from cleaner cooking energy.