Nigeria Cooking Gas Prices Surge Over 80% Amid Refinery Strike and Supply Disruptions

Nigeria is experiencing a severe shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly called cooking gas, leading to sharp price increases across major cities such as Lagos and Ogun. Prices for LPG cylinders have surged significantly, with a 12.5kg cylinder reaching around ₦17,500, a 34.6% week-on-week increase, and prices for smaller refills rising nearly 38% year-on-year. The scarcity and price hikes are largely attributed to an industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which halted crude and natural gas deliveries to the Dangote Refinery, a key LPG supplier. This stoppage disrupted the supply chain, causing vendors to rely on more expensive competitors and leading to widespread scarcity and increased costs for consumers. State-level data shows disparities in LPG prices, with some states like Adamawa facing the highest costs while others like Yobe have the lowest. Experts call for government intervention to expand production, improve distribution infrastructure, and consider subsidies or alternative clean energy options to alleviate the burden on households.