Looming Cooking Gas Shortage Threatens Fresh Price Hikes Across Nigeria

Fresh concerns are rising across Nigeria’s energy market as a growing shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, threatens to trigger another round of price increases for households and businesses.

Supply Tightens at Major Lagos Depots

New market checks have shown tightening LPG supply across major depots in Lagos. Only a handful of facilities currently maintain sufficient stock for loading operations. The development has raised fears among marketers and consumers that retail cooking gas prices may soon rise further if supply challenges persist.

According to PetroleumPriceNG on Monday, May 11, 2026, some key depots in Lagos are still selling LPG at relatively stable rates, despite the broader supply squeeze. Dangote Refinery is currently selling LPG at N1,060 per kilogram. Ardova Plc is maintaining product availability at N1,065 per kilogram. Navgas is selling slightly higher at N1,085 per kilogram.

Availability, Not Price, Is the Real Problem

Although depot prices have not yet recorded major increases, industry operators say the bigger concern lies in the limited product availability rather than the current pricing structure. Several major loading points, particularly across mainland Lagos, are reportedly facing severe supply constraints. This makes it increasingly difficult for marketers to access products for onward distribution.

Retail cooking gas prices are already hovering around N1,300 per kilogram in several parts of the country. Operators warn that further increases may be unavoidable if depot shortages continue. Independent retailers say the scarcity is affecting product accessibility and increasing operational costs. These costs may eventually be passed on to consumers.

Households and Small Businesses Feel the Heat

For many Nigerian households, cooking gas has become a preferred alternative to kerosene and firewood due to convenience and cleaner energy use. However, rising LPG prices are making this transition increasingly difficult for low- and middle-income families. Small businesses such as food vendors, bakeries, and restaurants are also feeling the impact. Higher cooking gas costs directly affect operating expenses and profit margins.

Lagos Disruptions Could Ripple Nationwide

Industry stakeholders have warned that prolonged shortages at key Lagos depots could trigger wider price adjustments across multiple states. Lagos plays a strategic role in Nigeria’s LPG distribution network. As one of the country’s largest supply hubs, disruptions in Lagos often ripple across the national market, affecting supply chains and retail pricing in other regions.

Marketers say constrained depot availability, combined with rising nationwide demand, is creating significant pressure across Nigeria’s LPG distribution system. The growing scarcity reflects broader challenges within the energy supply chain, despite increasing efforts to promote cleaner cooking fuel adoption nationwide.

What Comes Next?

Market analysts say that unless fresh product inflows improve supply levels across Lagos depots, another retail price increase may be imminent. With residential and commercial demand for cooking gas continuing to rise, the current shortage could quickly translate into higher prices for consumers already burdened by inflation and high energy costs. For many Nigerians, the coming weeks may determine whether cooking gas remains an affordable necessity or becomes yet another rising household expense.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) rose to N7,655.73 in March 2026. This represents a 12.60% increase on a month-on-month basis compared with N6,799.18 recorded in February 2026. On a year-on-year basis, the price increased by 4.55% from N7,322.49 recorded in March 2025. The NBS stated this in its latest price watch report released on Thursday, May 7.