The price of cooking gas has continued to rise across many parts of Nigeria as Muslims prepare for the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, with prices moving close to N2,000 per kilogramme in several locations.
The Federal Government had earlier declared Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays for the Sallah celebration, but many households are now struggling with the sharp increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Checks carried out in different states showed that cooking gas, which sold below N1,000 per kilogramme some months ago, is now being sold between N1,500 and N1,800 in many areas.
Residents in parts of the South-West said the product is approaching N2,000 per kilogramme in some Ogun border communities, while buyers in Lagos, Abeokuta and Ibadan now purchase it between N1,600 and N1,700 per kilogramme. In several northern states, the product is reportedly selling between N1,800 and N2,000 per kilogramme.
The latest increase is the first major rise in cooking gas prices in 2026 and comes months after disruptions in the oil and gas sector linked to issues involving Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria in October 2025.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers also raised concerns over the situation, warning that unstable supply and rising costs may lead to scarcity and worsen the hardship Nigerians are already facing.
According to the association, marketers now pay between N25.2 million and N26.2 million for 20 metric tonnes of cooking gas, depending on the location. The group described the development as painful for both sellers and consumers.
The marketers said millions of households, food vendors, small businesses and low-income earners who depend on cooking gas for daily activities are already struggling with the rising cost.
The association added that the crisis could damage the progress made by the Federal Government in promoting cooking gas as a cleaner energy source in Nigeria.
It warned that many families may return to using firewood and charcoal because they can no longer afford to refill their gas cylinders. The group said this could increase environmental problems and health risks linked to smoke from traditional cooking methods.
NALPGAM further stated that if urgent action is not taken, the country could face more food inflation, loss of jobs in small gas businesses, lower investor confidence and setbacks in clean energy efforts.