The directive was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists on Monday by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
In the statement signed by the Minister’s spokesman, Louis Ibah, Ekpo acknowledged growing public concerns over the recent surge in cooking gas prices and assured Nigerians that the government remains committed to maintaining a steady, reliable, and affordable supply for households, industries, and power generation.
“Marketers have committed to increasing import volumes to complement domestic production,” the statement read in part, noting that LPG supply from the new Seplat gas facility expected in July would further strengthen national availability.
The Minister also confirmed that no gas producer is allowed to divert LPG meant for the domestic market to export, stressing that existing regulatory frameworks are being strictly enforced to prioritise local consumption.
“The outlook for LPG supply remains positive, and the Federal Government will continue to pursue measures that enhance availability, affordability, and long-term energy security for Nigerian consumers,” he said.
Ekpo explained that the recent increase in cooking gas prices was largely influenced by prevailing market conditions, including foreign exchange volatility, rising logistics costs, infrastructure challenges, and fluctuations in global LPG prices.
He added that these factors should not be misinterpreted as a failure of government policy, noting that ongoing interventions are aimed at stabilising the domestic market.
According to him, one of such measures includes the directive that all LPG produced locally be prioritised for domestic use, which he said has already helped improve supply stability and reduce reliance on imports.
“This policy has already strengthened domestic supply, reduced dependence on imports, and improved market resilience,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the average price of a 5kg cooking gas cylinder rose from N7,655.73 in March to N8,706.93 in April, representing a 13.73 per cent increase.
The report also showed that on a year-on-year basis, the price rose by 10.42 per cent compared to N7,855.60 recorded in April 2025.
For 12.5kg cylinders, the NBS stated that the average retail price increased by 13.89 per cent month-on-month, rising from N19,652.83 in March 2026 to N22,382.20 in April 2026, while on a year-on-year basis it rose by 10.43 per cent from N20,268.06 in ZApril 2025.