Cooking gas supply hits record 5,332 tonnes daily, but retail prices stay high

Nigeria's domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply rose to a record 5,332 tonnes per day in July 2026, up from 5,100 tonnes in June. Despite this, retail cooking gas prices remain far above the regulator's recommended range.

Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows the July figure is the highest recorded in the 13 months covered by the data. Domestic sources supplied 4,373 tonnes per day, roughly 82 per cent of total supply, while imports accounted for the remaining 18 per cent.

Major suppliers

NLNG/SEPNU emerged as the largest supplier, delivering 2,031 tonnes per day through vessels. That represents about 38 per cent of total supply. Other processing plants contributed 1,513 tonnes per day through trucks, while the Dangote Petroleum Refinery supplied 829 tonnes daily.

Supply has improved significantly from July 2025, when total LPG supply stood at 4,500 tonnes per day. It rose to 5,000 tonnes in August 2025, fell to 3,900 tonnes in September, then recovered to 4,500 tonnes in October, 5,000 tonnes in November and 5,200 tonnes in December.

In 2026, supply reached 5,100 tonnes per day in January before declining to 4,700 tonnes in February and March, 4,500 tonnes in April and 4,100 tonnes in May. The recovery began in June, when supply returned to 5,100 tonnes per day before setting the new record in July.

Retail prices still high

Despite the stronger supply outlook, consumers have not seen cooking gas prices return to levels recorded before the sharp increase in May. Retail prices have fallen significantly from a peak of about N2,400 per kilogramme, but cooking gas still sells for between N1,300 and N1,600 per kilogramme in many locations.

NLNG has accused some marketers of driving the sharp increase. The company said it sold LPG to marketers at between N800 and N900 per kilogramme, but consumers were charged as much as N2,400.

NLNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, said the price surge was driven largely by supply shortages, artificial scarcity and distortions within the distribution chain. He said the regulator's recommended retail range, after transportation and other costs, was around N1,000 to N1,200 per kilogramme.

In Abuja, cooking gas currently sells for between N1,250 and N1,650 per kilogramme, depending on location, retailer and whether consumers buy from major outlets or roadside vendors. Depot prices in Lagos have also started edging upward.

What it means for consumers

With domestic supply at a record level, households and businesses will be watching closely to see whether increased availability translates into further price reductions at retail outlets across Nigeria. The gap between supply prices and retail prices remains a concern for consumers and regulators alike.