Nigeria cooking gas shortage pushes price to N2,400/kg

Nigeria is facing a severe shortage and price surge of liquefied petroleum gas, commonly known as cooking gas, forcing millions of households and businesses to revert to cheaper but dirtier fuels like charcoal and firewood. Retail prices have soared to between N1,700 and N2,400 per kilogram in recent weeks, a sharp increase from levels around N1,000 to N1,200 per kilogram earlier this year.

Industry representatives attribute the crisis to a fundamental imbalance where domestic demand is outstripping supply. Spokespersons for gas marketers explained that seasonal factors, such as increased demand during the rainy season as households move away from wet firewood, are placing pressure on available stocks. However, they and other analysts point to deeper structural issues: a persistent export-first policy, inadequate infrastructure, and a growing supply-demand gap.

Data indicates that in the first two months of 2026, about 62 percent of Nigeria's total gas output was exported, leaving only 38 percent for the domestic market. An industry report estimates national consumption rose to 1.8 million metric tonnes in 2026, while supply remains between 1.55 million and 1.65 million metric...