Cooking gas hits N1,800 per kg as rising LPG prices squeeze Nigerian households

Spread the wordThe price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has climbed to N1,800 per kilogram in some parts of Nigeria, forcing households to spend more on domestic energy.

The latest increase followed fresh price adjustments by depot owners and retailers over the past two days, with consumers in Abuja and its environs bearing the immediate impact of the development.

The upward review has pushed retail prices beyond previous levels, increasing the financial burden on households that rely on cooking gas for their daily activities.

Findings show that StockGap increased its depot price by N25 to N1,440 per kilogram.

Other major suppliers, including Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company Limited (NIPCO), Mobil, now known as 11 Plc, and Ardova, also sold the product at N1,400 and N1,390 per kilogram, respectively.

The adjustments at the depot level have coincided with increases at retail outlets, where consumers are now paying considerably more to purchase the same quantity of cooking gas.

At the retail level, outlets operated by Raniol, Juda Oil and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) in Abuja and surrounding areas now sell cooking gas at between N1,550 and N1,600 per kilogram.

The new rates represent an increase from the previous range of N1,400 to N1,500 per kilogram.

Micro-LPG dealers are charging even higher prices, with the product selling for between N1,700 and N1,800 per kilogram, depending on the location.

The variation in prices means that consumers purchasing from smaller gas retailers are paying more than those patronising some established outlets.

The latest price increase comes amid an earlier warning by NIPCO’s spokesperson, Taofeek Lawal, that LPG prices could rise further between November and January next year.

Lawal had disclosed this during an exclusive conversation with DAILY POST, suggesting that consumers could face additional increases in the coming months.

The warning has heightened concerns over the affordability of cooking gas, particularly for low- and middle-income households that depend on the product as their primary cooking fuel.

Consumers pay N2,500 more to refill 12.5kg cylinder

The impact of the latest increase is reflected in the rising cost of refilling domestic gas cylinders.

Consumers who previously spent N17,500 to refill a 12.5kg cylinder at N1,400 per kilogram will now pay N20,000 at the new rate of N1,600 per kilogram.

This represents an additional N2,500 for the same quantity of cooking gas.

At the higher rates charged by micro-LPG dealers, consumers could spend even more to refill their cylinders.

The development adds to the financial pressure on Nigerian households, as rising cooking gas prices increase the cost of preparing meals and meeting everyday domestic needs.