Households, businesses feel heat as cooking gas hits N1,400

The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has increased by 8.3 percent in one month, rising from N1,200 to N1,300 per kilogram.

The latest price was recorded on September 16, 2026, compared with the N1,200 per kilogram recorded in August.

Checks by Vanguard showed that the price varies across gas plants in Lagos. Accredited gas stations were selling one kilogram for about N1,300, while some smaller gas plants were selling at between N1,350 and N1,400, depending on their location.

Dealers said the price is higher in some other parts of the country.

The National President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, NALPGAM, Inyang Edu, said the increase was caused by several factors.

Edu said the ongoing geopolitical crisis, particularly the conflict involving the United States and Iran, had created instability in the global energy market.

He explained that the impact on Nigeria was being felt through international energy prices, shipping and insurance costs, foreign exchange, transportation and the availability of LPG in the domestic market.

According to him, the cost of LPG has increased across the supply chain, from the depot to gas plants and eventually to consumers.

He said marketers could not continue selling at the old price when their replacement cost had increased, as doing so would result in losses.

Edu also said marketers had to cover transportation, loading, financing, plant operations, staff, maintenance and other costs before the product reached consumers.

He noted that the increase would affect households as well as businesses such as restaurants, bakeries, food vendors, schools and hotels that depend on cooking gas.

He said higher LPG prices would increase the operating costs of businesses, which could eventually lead to higher prices for food and other goods and services.

Edu also warned that rising gas prices could force some households to reduce their use of LPG or return to firewood and charcoal.

He said this could undermine Nigeria’s clean cooking goals and create environmental and public health concerns.

Edu further pointed to supply challenges in the domestic market, noting that the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, reported an LPG supply deficit of about 91,966 metric tonnes between January and June 2026.

He explained that depot prices vary depending on supply, availability, location, logistics and agreements between suppliers and buyers.

Edu said that as of September 16, 2026, the price of 20 metric tonnes of LPG in Lagos was generally between N20 million and N22.7 million, depending on the supplier and depot.

He cited market listings showing prices of about N22 million at Ardova, N22.7 million at Stockgap and around N20 million at Panocean.

He added that some other suppliers in Lagos were selling 20 metric tonnes for between N19.9 million and N20.3 million, showing that LPG prices vary considerably across the market.