Relief as Cooking Gas Prices Drop Nationwide

After weeks of soaring costs that strained household budgets, cooking gas prices in Nigeria have begun to fall, bringing temporary relief to consumers across the country.

Retailers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, have confirmed that the price per kilogram has dropped significantly, falling from highs of around ₦2,000 to a range between ₦1,300 and ₦1,500 over the weekend. 

The change follows increased supply and recent government efforts to stabilise the volatile market.

Ayobami Olarinoye, who chairs the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association of Nigeria (LPGARAN), told reporters that recent improvements in gas distribution have contributed to the downward trend in prices.

"We're seeing more product in circulation, and that’s easing the pressure a bit," Olarinoye said. 

"Prices have started coming down, but we haven’t yet returned to the rates we saw earlier in the year."

Depending on the region, the current cost of LPG now ranges between ₦1,300 and ₦1,600 per kilogram. 

Urban areas and major cities have reported the steepest reductions, while some rural locations are still catching up.

Although the price drop is a welcome development, retailers caution that the situation remains fluid. Olarinoye noted that while supply is improving, full market stability is still about a week away, assuming there are no disruptions.

"We’re not out of the woods yet," he added. "But if this supply trend continues, we could see a more consistent and stable pricing pattern very soon."

The recent decline in prices also follows a stern warning from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. 

On October 13, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, issued a directive to LPG marketers, cautioning against artificial scarcity and exploitative pricing practices.

Ekpo emphasised that the Federal Government would not tolerate hoarding or unjustified price hikes. 

"Marketers who take advantage of the situation to inflate prices or limit supply will face serious consequences," he said during a press briefing.

He also reassured consumers that regulatory agencies have been mobilised to monitor the situation closely and enforce compliance across the supply chain.

Many households, already grappling with rising food and energy costs, have welcomed the price relief. However, consumer advocacy groups are urging continued vigilance from both regulators and suppliers.

"This is a step in the right direction," said Ngozi Ibe, a Lagos-based consumer rights activist. "But we need transparency in the market to ensure these gains are not short-lived."

As the supply chain stabilises, experts predict a gradual return to more affordable gas prices, though that will depend heavily on continued government oversight and cooperation among suppliers. For now, Nigerians can breathe a little easier in their kitchens, but with cautious optimism.