Cooking Gas Shortage Deepens as Retailers Accuse Marketers of Shifting Blame

The ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s cooking gas market has taken a new twist as retailers accuse major marketers of shifting blame over the recent price surge and supply shortages that have pushed the cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) beyond the reach of many households.In recent weeks, the price of a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas has soared above ₦17,000 in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, marking one of the sharpest increases in years. Retailers under the umbrella of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR), a branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have alleged that depot owners and major marketers are engaging in exploitative practices while trying to deflect responsibility onto external factors.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Thursday, LPGAR National Chairman, Michael Umudu, accused depot owners of hoarding the commodity and inflating prices at source, despite claims that the increases were caused by supply disruptions and foreign exchange instability. “The truth is that the price of cooking gas at the depots keeps changing daily without transparency. While they blame international prices or forex for the hikes, many of us on the retail side believe the problem is largely due to deliberate manipulation within the distribution chain,” he said.

Umudu noted that while global LPG prices have fluctuated slightly in recent months, the extent of the rise in Nigeria is disproportionate. “This is not just about the dollar exchange rate. We believe some local operators are taking advantage of the situation to maximize profit,” he added.

His comments came after the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) both blamed supply disruptions from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited and international market volatility for the crisis.

However, retailers insist that the justification does not align with the realities at the grassroots level. “Every time there is a price hike, marketers point fingers at NLNG, vessel shortages, or foreign exchange. But how do we explain that some depots have gas while others don’t? Or that the same gas from one source is being sold at widely varying prices? There is a deliberate game being played,” Umudu alleged.

Investigations by local media reveal that Nigeria’s cooking gas market has become increasingly unstable, with the **NLNG—responsible for about 40% of domestic LPG supply—**struggling to meet local demand due to production constraints and export obligations. Imports have also been affected by the naira depreciation, making it costlier for independent marketers to source LPG from the global market.

Retailers, however, argue that the real issue lies in the absence of regulatory oversight and the monopoly of a few powerful depot owners. “We are operating in a deregulated market, but deregulation should not mean lawlessness,” said Mrs. Funmi Adeyemi, an LPG retailer in Abuja. “There must be transparency and fairness. How can the same 20 metric tons that sold for ₦16 million last month now go for ₦22 million? Who is monitoring this?”

Consumers have also begun to feel the brunt of the crisis. Many households have resorted to firewood and charcoal, raising environmental concerns. “We are seeing a reversal of progress,” said environmental activist, Dr. Uche Nnaji. “For years, the government promoted LPG as a cleaner alternative to biomass fuel, but the price hikes are forcing people back to polluting options. It’s a setback for both health and the environment.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has called for calm, assuring the public that it is working with key stakeholders to restore stability to the market. In a statement, NMDPRA spokesman George Ene-Ita said the authority has initiated dialogue with NLNG, marketers, and depot owners to address the supply gaps. “We are aware of the current challenges in the LPG supply chain, and steps are being taken to ensure availability and price stability,” he said.

The agency also warned operators against hoarding and price manipulation, promising strict enforcement measures. However, retailers remain skeptical, saying similar promises in the past yielded little results. “We have heard this before. What we want is action, not press statements,” Umudu remarked.

Economic analysts have linked the crisis to Nigeria’s broader energy market challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, dollar scarcity, and inconsistent policy implementation. Dr. Kola Adebayo, an energy economist, explained that Nigeria’s dependence on imports for a significant portion of its LPG needs makes it highly vulnerable to currency volatility. “Until Nigeria invests heavily in local gas processing and distribution infrastructure, these periodic crises will continue,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government must fast-track projects under the Decade of Gas Initiative, which aims to deepen domestic gas utilization and reduce reliance on imports. “Nigeria has one of the largest gas reserves in the world. There’s no justification for recurrent LPG shortages. What we need is investment in storage, processing, and efficient distribution,” Adebayo stressed.

For now, the situation remains tense, with retailers threatening to suspend sales if depot owners continue to impose what they describe as “unjustifiable price increases.” Umudu stated that the LPGAR is prepared to take decisive action if government agencies fail to intervene. “We cannot continue to operate at a loss while being blamed for high prices. The system must be fixed from the top,” he warned.

Industry insiders predict that if the situation is not addressed swiftly, the price of LPG could rise even higher before the end of the month, especially as demand typically spikes toward the festive season.

In the face of these challenges, many Nigerians are calling on the Federal Government to treat the cooking gas crisis as an urgent national issue. Beyond immediate interventions, stakeholders believe that lasting stability will only come through structural reforms that enhance local production, transparency, and accountability in the LPG value chain.

As the crisis lingers, millions of households across Nigeria continue to struggle with the growing cost of clean cooking energy—a stark reminder that without decisive action, the nation’s dream of affordable and sustainable energy for all could remain elusive.