Cooking Gas Prices Jump to N1,900 per Kg in Lagos, Ogun as Depot Rates Rise 31.8%

Retail cooking gas prices have climbed sharply across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, with some Ogun communities now paying as much as N1,900 per kilogramme. The jump followed a 31.8% rise in depot prices, which moved from N1,100 to N1,450 per kg within a month.

Findings across several retail outlets showed prices rising from around N1,200 to N1,800 per kg. Residents in Magboro, Mowe and Ibafo in Ogun State reported paying up to N1,900 per kg.

Oyo prices vary by location

In Oyo State, cooking gas prices differ across the state's 33 local government areas. The direct market price stands at N1,450 per kg, while neighbourhood retailers charge between N1,500 and N1,650, depending on location and supply costs.

The financial strain has pushed some households in the state to consider returning to charcoal as a cheaper cooking fuel. Affected residents have appealed to the Federal Government to intervene, warning that further increases would deepen the pressure on Nigerian households.

Marketers blame supply gaps

Bassey Essien, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), said the core problem was insufficient attention to product availability across the country.

Essien said: "Until availability is taken seriously and implemented, this fragmented supply and sporadic responses to marketers and consumers' plight will be the order of the day."

He argued that without deliberate policy action to guarantee consistent supply, price fluctuations would continue to hit retailers and consumers.

What depots are charging

A breakdown of prices at major LPG depots shows most operators charging about N1,445 per kilogramme. Dangote stands apart at N1,150 per kg, which is N295 below what its competitors offer.

The depot prices:

11 PLC: N1,400 per kg
Dangote: N1,150 per kg
Navgas: N1,410 per kg
Nipco: N1,400 per kg
Rain Oil: N1,400 per kg
Techno Oil: N1,445 per kg
Ardova: N1,390 per kg

The Federal Government had earlier launched a new cooking gas programme to widen access to LPG and drive down costs. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, unveiled the National Grassroots LPG Programme in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of the broader Decade of Gas Initiative. The scheme targets moving five million Nigerian households away from firewood and charcoal to LPG by 2030.

For Nigerian households, the latest increase adds to the cost of daily meals at a time when food and transport bills are already high. For small businesses that depend on gas, such as food vendors and restaurants, the higher depot rates will eat further into margins unless supply improves.