LPG Scarcity In Nigeria: What Our Community Is Saying And The Causes Behind It

LPG Scarcity In Nigeria: What Our Community Is Saying And The Causes Behind It

In recent weeks, conversations around Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, have been dominated by one pressing question: why is it getting harder to find? To understand the situation better, we carried out a quick survey across our social media platforms, and the responses tell a story many households are already living through.

What Nigerians Are Saying?

In recent weeks, discussions across Nigerian WhatsApp groups and Twitter (X) have revealed growing concerns about scarcity, particularly in essential commodities. A community-driven survey was conducted across two WhatsApp groups and a Twitter poll to gauge public sentiment. The responses, drawn from a total of 300 individuals, offer a compelling snapshot of how Nigerians are currently navigating this challenge.

From WhatsApp Group 1, 62 respondents confirmed they were facing scarcity, 12 said they were not, 23 were still cooking from old stock, and 11 were actively looking to buy. WhatsApp Group 2 echoed similar sentiments, with 43 saying yes to scarcity, 11 saying no, 16 still on old stock, and 22 currently searching for supplies. The Twitter (X) poll, based on 100 participants, showed 57% experiencing scarcity, 29% not, 14% still using old stock, and none actively looking to buy.

When consolidated, the data reveals the following breakdown:

• Facing Scarcity: 162 out of 300 respondents — 54%

• Not Facing Scarcity: 52 out of 300 — 17.3%

• Still on Old Stock: 53 out of 300 — 17.7%

• Actively Looking to Buy: 33 out of 300 — 11%

These figures suggest that a majority of Nigerians are currently experiencing scarcity, while nearly a third are either managing with old supplies or actively seeking new ones. Only a small fraction, just over 17% reported no scarcity at all.

However, the situation may worsen. The percentage of people relying on old stock is expected to drop sharply before the week ends, as sources indicate that Dangote Refinery is not resuming operations anytime soon. This prolonged halt is unprecedented, especially considering that Dangote supplies about 50% of the domestic LPG market. The lack of prior communication about the refinery’s stock depletion has intensified the crisis. Importing LPG to fill the gap may not be a viable economic solution. Industry insiders warn that a sudden resumption of Dangote’s supply could trigger massive financial losses for importers, making the market highly volatile and unpredictable.

To prevent future disruptions, there is an urgent need for a transparent and coordinated supply framework. Stakeholders must establish a system that clearly communicates volume availability and potential disruptions. This would allow for better planning and reduce the risk of panic-induced scarcity.

Meanwhile, prices have surged dramatically. The cost of LPG has jumped to the ₦18 million range, up from less than ₦17 million, reflecting the pressure on supply chains and consumer demand. This survey and analysis show the need for proactive industry reforms and clearer communication. Nigerians deserve stability in essential commodities and that begins with transparency and accountability in supply management.

• Lpg
• lpg business
• lpg scarcity
• nigeria
• Lpg in nigeria
• dangote