Cooking Gas Prices Soar Across Nigeria as Scarcity Hits Major Cities

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Prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, have surged sharply across Nigeria, with Lagos residents now paying between ₦2,500 and ₦3,000 per kilogram, amid growing scarcity in major cities.

In Lagos, a 12.5kg cylinder now costs between ₦21,600 and ₦26,000, depending on the area. In Moshalashi, Idi-Oro, the price has risen to ₦21,600, while in Amuwo Odofin, residents pay as high as ₦26,000 — translating to about ₦2,080 per kilogram.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, prices are slightly lower but still straining household budgets, with a 12.5kg cylinder selling for around ₦20,000 (₦1,600 per kg) in areas such as Nyanya.

Several filling stations and gas plants across the country have reportedly run out of stock, forcing residents to rely on roadside vendors selling at inflated prices.

Consumers Express Frustration

The sudden scarcity has triggered widespread frustration among consumers, with long queues forming at the few gas plants still operating.

A Lagos resident told Nairametrics that the situation was unprecedented:

“I’ve never seen a cooking gas queue in my entire life, not even during Abacha’s brutal regime. This is the first time,” he said.

Experts Link Price Surge to Supply Disruption

Energy analysts have attributed the current price hike to a temporary disruption in supply following an industrial action by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the Dangote Refinery.

According to Princewill Udo, an energy expert, the brief strike halted distribution temporarily, exposing the fragility of Nigeria’s domestic gas supply chain.

“The sudden spike in cooking gas prices across Nigeria was triggered by a brief strike by PENGASSAN at the Dangote Refinery,” Udo explained.
“This disruption highlights how vulnerable essential commodities are to industrial actions and underscores the need for stronger supply chain management, alternative energy options, and proactive government intervention.”

Experts have also warned that if the scarcity persists, many households may revert to unsafe alternatives such as charcoal, firewood, and kerosene — with grave implications for public health and the environment.

Background and Data Trends

The latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that prior to the current crisis, gas prices had actually declined in August 2025.

According to the NBS:

The average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas dropped by 22.32% month-on-month — from ₦8,243.79 in July to ₦6,404.02 in August 2025.
Similarly, the average price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder fell by 21.42%, from ₦20,609.48 in July to ₦16,195.07 in August.

The same report noted that Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased for the fifth consecutive month, declining from 21.88% in July to 20.12% in August 2025.

However, the current spike in gas prices suggests a reversal of those gains, with experts warning that sustained disruptions could feed into inflation in the months ahead.