Households in many parts of Nigeria are beginning to enjoy lower cooking gas prices as improved supply and reduced depot costs ease pressure on the market.
Recent updates from gas marketers show that the retail price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has started falling in several cities after weeks of sharp increases. However, the price reductions differ from one location to another due to transportation expenses, distance from supply depots, and retailer pricing.
In Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta, cooking gas now sells for between N1,100 and N1,350 per kilogramme. Consumers in Benin City, Port Harcourt and Warri are paying between N1,150 and N1,400 per kilogramme.
Prices are slightly higher in Onitsha and Enugu, where gas sells between N1,200 and N1,450 per kilogramme, while residents of Abuja currently pay between N1,250 and N1,500 per kilogramme.
The National President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Edu Inyang, explained that prices remain higher in northern parts of the country because of transportation challenges.
According to him, consumers in Kano and Kaduna pay between N1,300 and N1,550 per kilogramme, while Maiduguri and some North-East communities still record the highest prices, ranging from N1,350 to N1,650 per kilogramme.
Inyang noted that the average retail price of cooking gas across Nigeria now ranges between N1,100 and N1,650 per kilogramme, although some neighbourhood retailers still charge above this level because of higher logistics and distribution costs.
He said the latest price reduction became possible after domestic producers increased supply and more imported LPG entered the market. Lower depot prices, stronger competition among marketers and the end of panic buying also helped reduce prices.
According to him, the improved supply has restored confidence in the market and made cooking gas more available in many locations.
The decline is expected to provide some financial relief for Nigerian households that have struggled with rising living costs over the past few months.
Based on current prices, refilling a 5kg gas cylinder now costs between N5,500 and N8,250, while a 6kg cylinder costs between N6,600 and N9,900. Consumers refilling a standard 12.5kg cylinder are expected to pay between N13,750 and N20,625, depending on where they live.
Despite the improvement, marketers warned that prices have not yet fully stabilised nationwide. Communities located far from major LPG storage and distribution centres may continue to pay more because of higher transportation costs.
Industry operators remain hopeful that prices will continue to decline if local production remains strong and imports continue without major disruptions.
The National Chairman of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Ayobami Olarinoye, also confirmed that conditions in the market are improving.
He said retailers currently buy cooking gas from plant operators at prices ranging from N1,300 to N1,500 per kilogramme, depending on location. They then sell to consumers at between N1,600 and N1,800 per kilogramme, with logistics costs influencing the final price.
Earlier this year, cooking gas prices rose sharply from around N1,000 per kilogramme in January and February to as much as N2,400 per kilogramme between May and June due to supply shortages.
To address the situation, the Federal Government approved more licences for LPG imports after local production failed to meet demand. The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, also warned marketers against hoarding products or exploiting consumers through excessive pricing.
Industry experts believe that if supply remains steady and distribution improves, Nigerians could enjoy even lower cooking gas prices in the coming weeks.
