As millions of Nigerians battle a surge in the price of cooking gas, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has attributed the worsening scarcity to the recent strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The industrial action, which followed the controversial dismissal of workers at the Dangote Refinery, has disrupted the supply chain and crippled gas distribution nationwide, triggering price hikes that have hit households and businesses hard.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, NNPCL explained that the ongoing shortage and sharp rise in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices were “direct consequences of industrial disruptions” linked to the strike.
According to the company, the strike had halted the movement of gas across depots, delayed shipments, and caused a backlog in supply logistics.
“While we are working to normalize operations, the recent strike by PENGASSAN caused major supply chain disturbances, especially in loading, transportation, and terminal deliveries,” an NNPCL spokesperson said.
The company also maintained that the strike had ripple effects on the wider energy sector, noting that “the logistical challenges compounded an already tight supply situation.”
The scarcity has led to a sharp increase in prices across several states. Findings from The Guardian revealed that LPG now sells for between ₦1,800 and ₦3,500 per kilogram, depending on location. In parts of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, some retailers reportedly sold at ₦2,800 per kg, while smaller stations in suburbs went as high as ₦3,000 per kg.
In Abuja, retailers who previously sold for ₦1,200 per kg now charge up to ₦2,200. “It’s becoming impossible to cook with gas,” lamented a civil servant. “I’m seriously considering going back to charcoal. Even the small cylinders cost too much to refill.”
A market survey showed that the average price of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder has jumped from ₦15,000 to ₦26,000 in the space of two weeks.
PENGASSAN has, however, dismissed the NNPCL’s claims, accusing the company and its partners of scapegoating workers rather than addressing deeper structural problems.
A senior union official told reporters: “This is not about workers disrupting supply. It’s about poor planning, lack of transparency, and inefficiency in the system. The management of NNPCL and the refinery operators should take responsibility for the fragile state of our gas distribution.”
The union insisted that the strike was necessary to protest what it described as the “unlawful termination” of workers’ contracts at the Dangote Refinery and alleged disregard for collective bargaining agreements.
Nigerians have taken to social media to express frustration over the growing cost of living. On X (formerly Twitter), #CookingGas trended for hours as citizens called on the federal government to intervene.
“This is not the first time gas prices have gone up, but this one is unbearable,” wrote user @ObinnaWrites. “People are suffering, and the government seems unbothered.”
Consumer rights groups have also weighed in, urging the NNPCL and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to provide relief measures, including the release of strategic reserves to cushion the effect on citizens.
Energy analysts say the current crisis underscores the fragile nature of Nigeria’s LPG market, which relies heavily on imports and a limited number of supply points.
In response to mounting criticism, the NNPCL assured Nigerians that it is working to restore stability in gas distribution. The company said it had initiated talks with union leaders, logistics partners, and regulatory agencies to ensure normal operations resume.
“We understand the hardship Nigerians are facing,” the NNPCL spokesperson said. “Our team is working round the clock to ramp up supply and stabilize prices.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has reportedly begun discussions with the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and major marketers to fast-track the distribution of available gas stock.
However, experts warn that unless systemic issues such as subsidy removal impacts, pipeline maintenance, and inadequate storage are addressed, Nigerians may continue to experience recurring gas crises.
The cooking gas shortage has a domino effect on households, restaurants, and small-scale businesses that depend on LPG for daily operations. Many are now reverting to charcoal, firewood, and kerosene options that could worsen environmental degradation and indoor air pollution.
With inflation already hovering above 20%, analysts say the gas price hike could further push the cost of living higher, especially for urban poor households.
