The Federal Government has moved to address concerns over the recent increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, assuring Nigerians that supply remains stable and measures are underway to improve affordability.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the government remains committed to ensuring adequate, reliable and affordable gas supply for households, businesses and power generation across Nigeria.
The Minister explained that the recent rise in LPG prices was largely driven by market factors, including foreign exchange fluctuations, higher logistics costs, infrastructure limitations and changes in international LPG prices.
He stressed that the increase should not be interpreted as a failure of government policy, noting that ongoing reforms are aimed at strengthening domestic gas availability and improving the resilience of the LPG market.
As part of efforts to stabilise supply, the Minister reiterated the government’s directive that all LPG produced in Nigeria should be prioritised for domestic consumption. The policy, he said, has increased local availability, reduced dependence on imports and strengthened the country’s energy security.
The Minister has also directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify collaboration with gas producers, marketers and other stakeholders to improve supply coordination and prevent market disruptions.
Industry operators have committed to increasing LPG import volumes to complement domestic production and ensure consumers continue to have access to cooking gas.
The government also expects additional supply support from the planned commencement of LPG deliveries from the new Seplat gas facility in July, which is projected to contribute to national availability.
Ekpo further assured Nigerians that producers are not exporting LPG volumes earmarked for the domestic market, as regulatory controls remain in place to protect local supply.
According to the Minister, the long-term outlook for Nigeria’s LPG market remains positive as government continues to implement policies focused on expanding gas infrastructure, boosting local production and improving access to cleaner cooking energy.