The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to address the growing concern over rising cooking gas prices by convening an emergency stakeholders’ meeting aimed at finding practical solutions to stabilize the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market across Nigeria.

The high-level meeting, held amid increasing complaints from households and businesses, brought together government officials, regulators, gas producers, marketers, terminal operators, and key industry associations. The gathering focused on identifying the major causes behind the recent surge in LPG prices and developing strategies to ease the burden on consumers.

Cooking gas remains one of the most widely used energy sources in Nigerian homes, particularly in urban areas where many families depend on it for daily cooking and other domestic activities. However, recent price increases have triggered concerns over affordability, especially as many households continue to grapple with broader economic challenges.

Officials at the meeting emphasized that the government views LPG as a vital component of Nigeria’s energy transition agenda. They noted that maintaining affordable access to cleaner energy sources is essential for improving living standards and reducing dependence on less environmentally friendly fuels.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Patience Oyekunle, highlighted the importance of LPG in supporting household energy needs and promoting sustainable development. She warned that persistent increases in cooking gas prices could place additional strain on family budgets while also contributing to rising costs of essential goods and services.

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The emergency consultation underscored the urgency of addressing challenges affecting the LPG value chain. Stakeholders examined supply constraints, logistics bottlenecks, infrastructure limitations, and pricing dynamics that have contributed to the current market situation.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is closely monitoring developments in the sector and has expressed concern over the impact of rising gas prices on ordinary Nigerians.

According to the minister, the President has directed relevant agencies and industry regulators to take proactive steps to improve market conditions and ensure that interventions translate into meaningful relief for consumers.

Ekpo stressed that increasing domestic supply alone would not be enough to solve the problem. He explained that improvements in transportation, storage infrastructure, distribution networks, and pricing transparency are equally important to guarantee that benefits reach end users.

Industry participants also discussed the need for stronger collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders. Many attendees agreed that sustainable solutions would require coordinated efforts across the entire LPG supply chain.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Rabiu Umar, pointed to high landing costs as one of the major drivers of current LPG prices. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that ongoing initiatives would help ease pressure on the market in the coming weeks.

Umar revealed that the authority is working closely with producers and other stakeholders to increase domestic availability of cooking gas, strengthen market monitoring mechanisms, and improve overall product accessibility nationwide.

Observers believe the outcome of the emergency meeting could play a significant role in shaping future government policies aimed at ensuring energy affordability. With cooking gas now a necessity for millions of households, stakeholders say swift action is required to prevent further price escalation and protect consumers from additional financial strain.

As consultations continue, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the measures discussed at the summit deliver the desired impact and help restore stability to the LPG market.