The Federal Government has directed marketers to increase the importation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, to boost supply and stabilise prices across Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) had been directed to intensify engagement with producers, marketers and other stakeholders to address supply shortfalls.
According to a statement issued on Monday, marketers have already pledged to increase imports, while additional supply is expected when the new Seplat gas facility begins LPG deliveries in July.
“Marketers have committed to increasing import volumes to complement domestic production,” the statement said.
Ekpo reassured Nigerians that the government remains committed to ensuring “adequate, reliable, and affordable gas supply for households, industries, and power generation across the country”.
He also dismissed concerns that local producers were exporting volumes meant for the domestic market.
“The outlook for LPG supply remains positive, and the Federal Government will continue to pursue measures that enhance availability, affordability, and long-term energy security for Nigerian consumers,” the minister said.
Ekpo attributed the recent price surge to foreign exchange volatility, rising logistics costs, infrastructure constraints and fluctuations in international LPG prices, stressing that the situation “should not be misinterpreted as evidence of policy failure”.
He added that the government's policy of prioritising all locally produced LPG for domestic consumption has already strengthened supply and improved market resilience.
“This policy has already strengthened domestic supply, reduced dependence on imports, and improved market resilience,” he stated.
The intervention comes after data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the average price of a 5kg cylinder rose 13.73 per cent from ₦7,655.73 in March to ₦8,706.93 in April 2026, while the average price of a 12.5kg cylinder increased 13.89 per cent from ₦19,652.83 to ₦22,382.20 during the same period.
On a year-on-year basis, the average price of a 5kg cylinder rose 10.42 per cent from ₦7,855.60, while the price of a 12.5kg cylinder increased 10.43 per cent from ₦20,268.06 recorded in April 2025.