…FG directs regulator to work with gas operators as supply concerns grow amid higher costs and market pressures
Lydia Bello
The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify engagement with gas producers, marketers and other industry stakeholders to increase Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) imports and stabilise supply across Nigeria.
The move comes amid rising cooking gas prices, with households and businesses facing increased costs due to foreign exchange volatility, logistics challenges, infrastructure limitations and fluctuations in global LPG prices.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed the intervention in a statement, assuring Nigerians that the government remains committed to maintaining adequate, reliable and affordable gas supply for domestic consumers, industries and power generation.
According to the minister, LPG marketers have committed to increasing import volumes to complement local production and ease pressure on the market.
“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,” Ekpo said.
Government Targets Stable LPG Market
The minister said deliveries from the new Seplat gas facility expected to commence in July would significantly improve national LPG availability.
He also clarified that producers are not exporting LPG volumes designated for domestic consumption, stressing that regulatory measures remain in place to prioritise Nigerian demand.
Ekpo said ongoing government interventions, including the directive that locally produced LPG should first serve the domestic market, have helped strengthen supply and reduce import dependency.
“This policy has already strengthened domestic supply, reduced dependence on imports, and improved market resilience,” he stated.
Cooking Gas Prices Climb
The government’s intervention follows recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showing continued increases in LPG prices.
The NBS reported that the average retail price of a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas rose from ₦7,655.73 in March 2026 to ₦8,706.93 in April 2026, representing a 13.73 per cent monthly increase.
On a year-on-year basis, the price increased by 10.42 per cent compared with ₦7,855.60 recorded in April 2025.
The statistics agency also reported that the average cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder increased by 13.89 per cent month-on-month, rising from ₦19,652.83 in March 2026 to ₦22,382.20 in April 2026.
Compared with April 2025, the price represented a 10.43 per cent annual increase.
Energy Security Challenge
Industry stakeholders say the LPG market remains affected by foreign exchange pressures, import costs, transportation expenses and infrastructure gaps.
Nigeria has promoted LPG adoption as a cleaner household energy alternative to reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal, but affordability and supply reliability remain major challenges.
Analysts say increasing domestic production, improving storage and distribution infrastructure, and maintaining a balance between exports and local consumption will be critical to achieving long-term energy security.
The Federal Government said it would continue monitoring the market and implementing measures aimed at protecting consumers while supporting growth in Nigeria’s gas sector.
