The Federal Government has intensified efforts to address the rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, by directing industry regulators and stakeholders to increase supply and improve market stability.

The directive was issued to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as part of broader measures aimed at ensuring that households, businesses, and industries have access to affordable and reliable cooking gas.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed the development in a statement released through his spokesperson, Louis Ibah, on Monday.

According to the minister, the government is aware of growing public concerns over the recent increase in cooking gas prices and remains committed to addressing the challenges affecting the domestic LPG market.

Ekpo said the NMDPRA has been instructed to deepen consultations with gas producers, marketers, importers, and other key stakeholders to boost supply and ease pressure on consumers.

He revealed that marketers have already pledged to increase LPG import volumes to complement local production and improve availability across the country.

The minister also expressed optimism that the commencement of LPG deliveries from the new Seplat gas facility, expected in July, would significantly strengthen domestic supply and support efforts to stabilize prices.

Addressing concerns about local production, Ekpo maintained that no producer is exporting cooking gas designated for the Nigerian market.

He explained that existing regulatory frameworks ensure that domestic demand remains a priority and that authorities are closely monitoring compliance within the sector.

According to the minister, several factors have contributed to the recent rise in cooking gas prices, including foreign exchange fluctuations, rising transportation and logistics costs, infrastructure limitations, and changes in international LPG prices.

He stressed that the current situation should not be viewed as a failure of government policy, noting that ongoing reforms have already helped improve supply and reduce dependence on imports.

The minister added that efforts to prioritize local consumption of domestically produced LPG have strengthened market resilience and enhanced energy security.

Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlights the scale of the challenge facing consumers.

According to the bureau's latest Cooking Gas Price Watch report, the average cost of refilling a 5kg cylinder increased from ₦7,655.73 in March to ₦8,706.93 in April 2026, representing a 13.73 percent month-on-month increase.

On a yearly basis, the average price also rose by 10.42 percent compared to April 2025.

Similarly, the average cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder climbed from ₦19,652.83 in March to ₦22,382.20 in April, reflecting a 13.89 percent increase within a month.

The NBS also reported a year-on-year increase of 10.43 percent for the larger cylinder size.

Ekpo assured Nigerians that the government would continue implementing policies designed to improve LPG accessibility, support domestic utilization, and promote cleaner energy alternatives.

He emphasized that sustained collaboration between regulators, producers, and marketers remains critical to achieving long-term stability in the cooking gas market and ensuring that consumers benefit from improved supply and more competitive pricing.