The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has surged sharply across Lagos, selling for between ₦1,700 and ₦2,300 per kilogramme, triggering panic buying and long queues at gas refilling stations.

A visit by SaharaReporters revealed that the price hike has worsened the hardship faced by Lagos residents already struggling with high fuel and food costs. In several parts of the city, a 12.5kg cylinder now sells for as much as ₦24,000, with many residents lamenting the rising cost of living.

On social media, frustrated Nigerians flooded X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok with complaints and videos showing long queues at gas stations.

“When some of us warned that PENGASSAN’s antics would disrupt the market and hike gas prices, many attacked us. Now look—cooking gas is ₦1,700 per kg! Just months ago, it was below ₦1,000,” one user, Bolaji Fesomade, wrote.

Another user, Abu Amir, blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying:

“Fuel queues are back, subsidy is gone, taxes have increased, and cooking gas is selling for ₦2k/kg. Again, it shall never be well with APC and its supporters.”

Others expressed disbelief at the sudden scarcity.

“Saw queue at the cooking gas station this morning?!?! These people are bringing queues that have never been queued before,” wrote @DelgadoPrime.

Reports indicate that despite the sharp increase in price, availability remains uncertain in many areas. One resident, Abayomi, noted:

“Even with ₦3,200, you will queue for hours before you can buy, and it’s not guaranteed. People have reverted back to charcoal in 2025. Abysmal.”

In a bid to calm public outrage, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bashir Ojulari, told reporters after meeting President Bola Tinubu in Lagos that the hike was temporary.

According to Ojulari, the situation was caused by disruptions following a dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which affected production, distribution, and electricity supply.

“The slight increase in cooking gas prices is temporary. We expect normal prices to return soon, all things being equal,” Ojulari assured.

However, Nigerians online continue to express anger and disbelief.

“Sat down yesterday celebrating a celebrity who cashed out from you watching her sleep, eat & straff on live TV. Woke up this morning to the scarcity of cooking gas. When you queue and pay more for gas, you’ll understand priority,” wrote David Bent on X.

Videos circulating on social media show massive queues at several gas depots in Lagos as residents rush to refill their cylinders amid fears of further price increases.