Nigerians battle shortage of cooking gas as price of 12.5kg cylinder of gas rises to N25,000

Nigerians Battle Cooking Gas Crisis as 12.5kg Cylinder Price Surges to ₦25,000

Across Nigeria, households are grappling with a severe shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, as the price of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder has skyrocketed to ₦25,000.

This marks a dramatic increase from the previous week's average of ₦17,500, triggering widespread concern and hardship among consumers nationwide.

The crisis stems from a recent industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which disrupted operations at the Dangote Refinery, currently the largest local supplier of cooking gas.

The strike, launched over labor disputes, halted distribution for several days, creating an artificial scarcity that rippled through supply chains. Although the strike has since been suspended following government intervention, the effects continue to linger, with many gas plants still struggling to replenish their stocks.

In cities like Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt, residents report long queues at gas stations and retail outlets, many of which have run out of stock. Where gas is available, prices vary wildly, with 1kg retailing between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 depending on location. In some parts of Lagos, the cost of a 12.5kg refill has reached ₦26,000, while in Abuja, prices hover around ₦20,000 to ₦21,6004.

Energy experts attribute the crisis not only to the strike but also to Nigeria’s fragile domestic gas supply network. Princewill Udo, an energy analyst, emphasized that the disruption exposed the vulnerability of essential commodities to industrial actions and underscored the need for robust supply chain management and alternative energy solutions.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has assured citizens that prices will begin to decline as distribution normalizes. Group Chief Executive Bayo Ojulari described the price hike as “relatively artificial,” blaming opportunistic retailers for exploiting the temporary shortfall. He expressed optimism that prices would return to pre-strike levels as supply chains stabilize.

Meanwhile, the Dangote Group has ramped up LPG production to 2,000 tonnes per day and is considering direct-to-consumer sales to bypass middlemen and reduce costs. Aliko Dangote, the company’s president, voiced concern over Nigeria’s energy poverty and pledged to make cooking gas more accessible to households, encouraging a shift away from firewood and kerosene.

The NLNG Limited, another major player in the domestic LPG market, reaffirmed its commitment to supplying 100% of its Butane production to Nigerian homes. Through its Domestic LPG scheme, NLNG has expanded coastal terminals and chartered dedicated vessels to ensure regular delivery, aiming to make cooking gas more available and affordable across the country.

Despite these efforts, the immediate reality for many Nigerians remains grim. With gas prices at record highs and availability uncertain, some households are reverting to unsafe alternatives like charcoal and firewood, raising concerns about health and environmental risks.

The situation has reignited calls for government intervention and long-term strategies to secure Nigeria’s energy future.