Nigeria’s LPG supply jumps to 22-day sufficiency as government cracks down on profiteering marketers
Liquefied Petroleum Gas marketers raced to import 16,642 metric tonnes of cooking gas in the first 19 days of June, as the Federal Government intensified efforts to end the price nightmare plaguing Nigerian households.
The imported volumes accounted for a significant chunk of the 95,769 metric tonnes supplied domestically between June 1 and June 19, according to data unveiled Monday by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The figures, presented by NMDPRA Chief Executive Rabiu Umar at an emergency stakeholder meeting convened by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, revealed four imported cargoes discharged in Lagos. Algasco LPG brought in 2,047 metric tonnes on June 1, Rainoil Limited delivered 7,696 metric tonnes on June 15, while Algasco discharged additional shipments of 3,900 and 2,998 metric tonnes on June 18 and 19 respectively.
The imports come as domestic supply struggles to match soaring demand, forcing marketers to increasingly look abroad. In recent weeks, Nigerians have faced empty retail outlets, with many families resorting to charcoal and firewood for cooking.
However, government intervention appears to be gaining traction. Average daily supply jumped to 5,040 metric tonnes in June, up from 4,262 metric tonnes in May 2026, the NMDPRA reported.
“Average daily supply in June, up to June 19, is 5,040 metric tonnes per day. This has improved sufficiency up to 22 days,” Umar stated, noting that stock position stood at 85.87 million kilogrammes as of June 21.
Despite the supply boost, consumers continue paying well above indicative pricing benchmarks. Cooking gas sells for between N1,600/kg and N2,100/kg in the South-West against an official range of N1,018/kg to N1,177/kg. Northern consumers pay N1,550/kg to N1,950/kg compared to N1,066/kg to N1,224/kg benchmark, while South-South residents fork out N1,400/kg to N2,000/kg against N1,021/kg to N1,179/kg official guide.
The regulator attributed the disparity to “non-cost reflective pricing” by wholesalers and retailers, plus infrastructure constraints.
Umar identified domestic supply gaps, inadequate distribution infrastructure, low imports, and global disruptions from the US-Israel-Iran conflict as key factors affecting pricing.
Notably, NMDPRA data showed that Chevron exported all 148,222 metric tonnes of LPG it produced between January and May – a 100 per cent export rate – while other producers also prioritised foreign markets over domestic supply.
The authority proposed increased imports, stricter supply chain monitoring, and diverting export volumes to the domestic market as immediate measures.
An additional 44,100 metric tonnes from domestic sources is scheduled for discharge before month-end, with Matrix LPG and Asharami Synergy set to receive 5,000 metric tonnes each in Delta and Cross River states.
Industry sources confirmed cooking gas prices have already eased below N2,000/kg over the weekend, with further declines expected as availability improves.
