Marketers Warn of Possible Public Backlash as Cooking Gas Price Hits ₦1,700 per Kg

 By Kehinde Awosina 

Nigeria’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) marketers have raised concerns over growing public anger and potential unrest as cooking gas prices surge to about ₦1,700 per kilogramme in several parts of the country, amid worsening supply constraints and rising demand.

The warning comes as households across major cities continue to battle sharp increases in energy costs, with many consumers reporting that prices have climbed beyond what most families can sustainably afford.

Industry operators say the steady increase in LPG prices is being driven by supply disruptions, distribution bottlenecks, and market imbalances rather than any official upward review.

According to marketers’ associations, the current price surge—already ranging between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 per kg in some locations—could worsen if supply stability is not restored quickly. 

Some depot and retail sources also warn that prices could climb even higher, with projections in certain quarters suggesting possible movement toward ₦2,000 per kg in tight markets. 

Marketers have expressed concern that the continued rise in cooking gas prices could trigger widespread frustration among consumers already struggling with inflation, transport costs, and food insecurity.

They caution that energy hardship, especially in urban centres, is becoming a major pressure point for households that rely heavily on LPG as an alternative to kerosene and firewood.

A senior industry source was quoted as saying that if supply gaps persist, “public frustration may escalate into open resistance” as families struggle to cope with rising living expenses.

Industry reports attribute the spike to a combination of factors, including temporary supply disruptions, logistics challenges, and recent industrial actions that affected loading and distribution at key facilities.

Marketers also point to structural issues such as foreign exchange volatility, high transport costs, and inconsistent depot availability, all of which continue to affect pricing across the value chain.

In addition, fluctuations in global energy markets have contributed to local price instability, given Nigeria’s partial reliance on imported LPG despite growing domestic production capacity.

While some gas plants still sell at relatively lower depot rates, retail consumers in many cities are paying significantly more due to multiple layers of distribution and scarcity-driven markups.

Reports show that in some locations, consumers have paid as much as ₦1,500 to ₦1,700 per kg, with higher figures recorded in areas with limited supply access. 

Authorities and stakeholders in the downstream sector have continued discussions aimed at stabilising supply and preventing further escalation of prices.

Marketers insist that improving distribution efficiency, increasing product availability, and reducing bottlenecks at depots are key to restoring stability in the LPG market.

With inflationary pressures still high and energy demand rising, analysts warn that cooking gas prices may remain volatile in the short term unless supply conditions improve significantly.

For now, marketers say urgent intervention is needed to prevent further hardship for millions of Nigerian households dependent on cooking gas for daily living.