Nigerian households are facing mounting pressure as the price of cooking gas surges to ₦25,000 for a 12.5-kilogram cylinder, up from about ₦17,500 last week. The sharp increase follows a worsening supply shortage linked to disruptions in distribution caused by the ongoing strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria. The shortage has left many gas plants across major cities like Lagos, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt without stock, according to reports by Vanguard.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Bassey Essien, said the strike at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has compounded the scarcity by halting deliveries to retailers. “We are experiencing an unprecedented disruption in supply, and unless the dispute is resolved quickly, the situation will continue to deteriorate,” Essien said in a statement reported by Vanguard.
Retailers say the price of a kilogram of gas now ranges between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 depending on location and transport costs. Many households have been forced to ration usage or revert to firewood and kerosene for cooking, reversing years of progress toward cleaner energy adoption. Several gas plants in Lagos and other cities have temporarily shut down operations due to depleted reserves and higher transportation expenses.
Market analysts warn that unless the industrial dispute is resolved and normal supply restored, the situation could persist into the end of the year. They note that increased domestic production from the Dangote Refinery and stronger government intervention to stabilise supply and pricing will be critical to easing the burden on consumers, as highlighted by Vanguard and energy market observers.
