By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
The Federal Government has initiated urgent measures to address the persistent rise in the price of cooking gas across Nigeria by convening an emergency stakeholders’ meeting aimed at identifying both immediate and long-term solutions to the challenge.
The meeting was prompted by growing concerns over the escalating cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, which has continued to place significant financial pressure on millions of Nigerian households already grappling with the high cost of living.
The gathering brought together key stakeholders in the gas value chain, including government officials, regulatory agencies, gas producers, marketers, terminal operators, and major industry associations. Deliberations centred on the factors responsible for the sharp increase in LPG prices and practical measures required to boost supply and stabilise the market.
Speaking at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle, described LPG as a critical source of energy for households nationwide and a key component of Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.
She noted that the sustained increase in cooking gas prices has become a major concern for many families, warning that the situation is not only straining household budgets but also contributing to rising costs of essential goods and services.
According to her, urgent intervention is necessary to prevent further hardship for consumers and ensure continued access to cleaner energy alternatives.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is closely monitoring developments in the sector and is deeply concerned about the impact of rising LPG prices on Nigerians.
Ekpo revealed that the President has directed relevant agencies and industry stakeholders to take immediate and proactive measures to address the situation.
He stressed that while increasing gas supply remains a priority, efforts must also focus on improving logistics, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting transparent pricing mechanisms to ensure that consumers benefit from any intervention.
The minister emphasized that resolving the challenge would require coordinated action and collaboration across the entire gas supply chain.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Rabiu Umar, identified high landing costs as one of the major drivers of the current surge in LPG prices.
He explained that factors such as import costs, foreign exchange fluctuations, transportation expenses, and supply bottlenecks continue to exert pressure on the market.
Despite these challenges, Umar expressed optimism that ongoing engagements between regulators and industry operators would begin to ease market pressures in the coming weeks.
He added that the NMDPRA is actively working with producers and marketers to increase domestic supply, enhance market surveillance, and improve product availability across the country as part of efforts to make cooking gas more affordable for Nigerians.
