Nigeria recorded a significant increase in the importation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in June 2026, as authorities moved to bridge the gap between domestic supply and growing consumer demand.
Fresh data released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in its June 2026 Fact Sheet showed that LPG imports surged by an extraordinary 1,400 percent, reaching 1.5 kilotonnes (KT) per day, compared to previous levels.
The report, published on Friday, also revealed that the country's daily consumption of cooking gas rose by 24 percent, increasing from 4.1KT/day recorded in the previous month to 5.1KT/day in June.
According to the NMDPRA, of the 5.1KT/day consumed during the month, 3.6KT/day came from domestic production, while the remaining 1.5KT/day was supplied through imports.
The sharp rise in imports suggests that marketers and suppliers turned to the international market to augment local production and ease supply constraints, following recent shortages that affected the availability of cooking gas across parts of the country.
The increase comes against the backdrop of soaring LPG prices witnessed in recent months. The cost of cooking gas had climbed to over ₦2,000 per kilogram, up from between ₦900 and ₦1,200 per kilogram recorded earlier. Although prices have moderated in recent weeks, consumers currently pay between ₦1,500 and ₦1,700 per kilogram, depending on the location.
The recent import boost is expected to improve supply across the country and could help stabilize prices if market conditions remain favourable. However, industry stakeholders continue to advocate increased domestic production and investment in LPG infrastructure to reduce Nigeria's dependence on imports and ensure long-term energy security.