Nigeria’s daily cooking gas consumption rose 8% to 5.2 kilotonnes in September 2026 from 4.8 kilotonnes in August, even as retail prices ranged from ₦1,200 to ₦1,600 per kilogramme.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said consumption ran ahead of receipts by about 500 tonnes daily.
NMDPRA data showed that daily LPG consumption exceeded the official demand benchmark of 3.9 kilotonnes by approximately 33%.
Total LPG receipts increased by 9% from 4.3 kilotonnes to 4.7 kilotonnes daily, but consumption remained higher than incoming supplies.
That left a daily difference of approximately 500 tonnes, underlining the pressure growing demand is placing on the cooking gas market.
Domestic LPG receipts surged by 50% to 4.5 kilotonnes daily, compared with 3.0 kilotonnes in August. Imported supplies plunged by 85%, falling from 1.3 kilotonnes to approximately 0.2 kilotonnes daily. Domestic sources accounted for about 96% of total LPG receipts.
Nigeria LNG Limited and Seplat supplied the largest share at 54.3%, followed by other gas processing plants at 26.4%. Dangote Petroleum Refinery contributed another 15.1%, while imports accounted for the remaining 4.2%.
Prices range from ₦1,200 to ₦1,600/kg
The NMDPRA retail price survey showed significant differences across locations. Bauchi recorded the highest observed price at ₦1,600 per kilogramme, while Abuja had the lowest at ₦1,200. In Lagos, consumers paid between ₦1,250 and ₦1,400 per kilogramme.
At these rates, refilling a 12.5kg cylinder would cost between ₦15,000 and ₦20,000, depending on location.
The regulator attributed the relative moderation in prices to increased domestic supply, which helped cushion the market against international price fluctuations.
Stock cover falls below 30-day threshold
Despite improving domestic supplies, Nigeria’s LPG inventory remained below the regulatory benchmark.
NMDPRA reported stock sufficiency of just 15.9 days, significantly below the required 30-day threshold. That represents a shortfall of 14.1 days, leaving limited inventory protection against potential supply disruptions.
The regulator’s figures did not establish a nationwide cooking gas shortage. The findings underscore the need for sustained domestic production, stronger inventories and reliable distribution as household demand continues to expand.
Earlier price data showed LPG prices increased by as much as N75 per kilogramme across five suppliers in two days as international crude oil prices climbed amid renewed concerns over global energy supply disruptions. Navgas recorded the largest increase, raising its LPG price from N1,175 per kilogramme on October 20 to N1,250 on October 22.
For households and businesses, the gap between consumption and receipts, plus stock cover of 15.9 days, leaves the market exposed to disruption even as domestic output reduces import dependence. Reliable distribution and inventory will matter as demand expands.
