Nigeria’s Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify nationwide monitoring of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) depots to deter hoarding and other sharp practices after a sudden surge in retail prices.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, issued the order on Monday, warning that cooking gas prices have jumped from about ₦1,000–₦1,100 per kilogram to as high as ₦1,500–₦1,700/kg in some locations. He linked the spike to two short-term supply disruptions: recent industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the Dangote Refinery, which temporarily halted LPG loading, and ongoing maintenance on Nigeria LNG’s Train 4 that trimmed domestic output.
“These disruptions led to a shortfall in supply and a consequent increase in prices due to demand and supply imbalance,” Ekpo said, appealing for public calm and understanding while the market normalises.
According to the minister, relief is already in motion. LPG loading for the local market has resumed at the Dangote Refinery; Seplat Energy’s Bonny River Terminal has commenced loading; and Nigeria LNG is gradually returning to normal operations as maintenance winds down. With these flows, he said, domestic supply should stabilise “by next week,” paving the way for prices to ease.
The NMDPRA’s stepped-up surveillance will focus on ensuring depots and marketers comply with regulations and do not withhold volumes in anticipation of higher prices. Ekpo reminded industry players that the LPG market is deregulated and urged marketers, distributors and retailers to act “patriotically,” desist from hoarding and avoid exploiting consumers.
“The Federal Government remains committed to ensuring sufficient and affordable gas supply to all households,” he said, adding that authorities would not hesitate to sanction operators found aggravating the situation.
Nigeria’s LPG consumption has grown steadily in recent years as households switch from kerosene and firewood to cleaner fuels, making the market more sensitive to short-term supply shocks. Officials say the combination of resumed refinery loadings, LNG output recovery and active depot oversight should restore balance quickly.
