The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify engagement with gas producers, marketers and other stakeholders to increase the importation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in a bid to address supply shortfalls and stabilise prices across the country. The Minister of State […]
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The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify engagement with gas producers, marketers and other stakeholders to increase the importation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in a bid to address supply shortfalls and stabilise prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, assuring Nigerians that the government remains committed to ensuring adequate, reliable and affordable gas supply for households, industries and power generation.
According to the minister, marketers have pledged to increase import volumes to complement domestic production and improve product availability nationwide.
He added that the commencement of LPG deliveries from the new Seplat gas facility in July is expected to significantly boost domestic supply and strengthen market stability.
Ekpo also clarified that no producer is currently exporting LPG volumes designated for the domestic market, noting that regulatory measures remain in place to prioritise local consumption.
“The outlook for LPG supply remains positive, and the Federal Government will continue to pursue measures that enhance availability, affordability and long-term energy security for Nigerian consumers,” he said.
The minister explained that the recent increase in cooking gas prices was largely driven by market factors, including foreign exchange volatility, rising transportation and logistics costs, infrastructure challenges and fluctuations in global LPG prices.
He stressed that the price increases should not be interpreted as a failure of government policy, pointing to ongoing interventions aimed at strengthening the domestic gas market.
According to him, one of the key measures implemented by the government is the directive requiring that LPG produced in Nigeria be prioritised for local consumption.
“This policy has already strengthened domestic supply, reduced dependence on imports and improved market resilience,” he stated.
The development follows recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which showed that the average retail price of a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas rose from ₦7,655.73 in March to ₦8,706.93 in April 2026, representing a 13.73 per cent increase.
The report also indicated that the average price of a 12.5kg cylinder increased from ₦19,652.83 in March to ₦22,382.20 in April, reflecting a 13.89 per cent month-on-month rise.
On a year-on-year basis, the NBS reported that the average prices of both 5kg and 12.5kg cylinders increased by more than 10 per cent compared to April 2025.
The government expressed optimism that ongoing interventions and increased supply volumes would help ease pressure on prices and improve access to cooking gas across the country.
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