Cooking gas prices crash across Nigeria as imports surge 1,400%

Retail prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly called cooking gas, have fallen steadily in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria over the past three weeks, driven by a massive increase in imports. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that LPG imports surged by 1,400 percent in June 2026, pushing depot prices lower at Lagos facilities.

Retail prices drop across Abuja

Filling stations operated by Ranoil, Shafa and AP Ardova now sell cooking gas at between ₦1,300 and ₦1,400 per kilogram, compared with previous rates of about ₦1,450 to ₦1,500 per kilogram. Independent gas retailers in areas such as Dawaki, Kubwa, Gwarampa and Lugbe have also reduced their prices to around ₦1,500 per kilogram from approximately ₦1,700 per kilogram.

At the new rates, a 6kg cylinder could cost between ₦7,800 and ₦9,000 to refill. A 12.5kg cylinder may cost between ₦16,250 and ₦18,750. Actual costs vary across states due to differences in transportation expenses and local operating costs, according to a report by PetroleumPriceNG.

Imports jump 1,400 percent in June 2026

NMDPRA data revealed that LPG imports surged by 1,400 percent in June 2026 to about 1.5 kilotonnes per day. Nigeria’s daily LPG consumption also rose by 24 percent, climbing to 5.1 kilotonnes per day in June from 4.1 kilotonnes per day recorded in the previous month. The figures were contained in the NMDPRA Fact Sheet for June, released on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Industry operators believe the stronger supply has helped cushion the cooking gas market against some of the external pressures affecting other petroleum products. Unlike petrol and diesel, which have faced sustained pressure from higher international crude oil prices and foreign exchange costs, the cooking gas market has remained relatively stable due to stronger imports and improved availability.

Depot prices fall in Lagos

Market checks by Petroleumprice.ng on Monday, July 27, 2026, showed that Navgas sold cooking gas at ₦1,025 per kilogram, while Nipco and 11PLC offered the product at ₦1,075 per kilogram. These depot prices remain significantly lower than retail prices in many parts of the country, suggesting that marketers are still accessing cooking gas at relatively competitive wholesale rates.

However, the difference between depot and retail prices reflects the cost of transporting gas, handling cylinders, operating storage facilities and maintaining distribution networks. These costs can delay the transmission of lower wholesale prices to households.

Market operators expect the downward trend to continue if import volumes remain strong and the naira maintains relative stability. They warned that disruptions to global shipping routes or a sharp increase in international LPG prices could slow or reverse the recent decline.

For Nigerian households, the price relief means lower cooking costs in the short term, but sustained savings depend on stable import flows and distribution efficiency.