Nigeria’s dependence on imported cooking gas has intensified after Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) imports soared by an astonishing 1,400 percent in June 2026, highlighting ongoing challenges in the nation’s domestic energy supply chain. Fresh data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) revealed that LPG imports jumped from just 0.1 kilotonnes per day (KT/D) in May to 1.5 KT/D in June, filling a widening gap created by declining local production.
The sharp increase came as domestic LPG supply dropped by 10 percent, falling from 4.0 KT/D in May to 3.6 KT/D in June. Although total LPG receipts rose by 24 percent to 5.1 KT/D during the month, nearly all of the growth was driven by imported volumes. Imports accounted for almost 30 percent of Nigeria’s total daily LPG supply, underscoring the country’s growing reliance on foreign sources despite possessing some of Africa’s largest natural gas reserves.
Industry figures show that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and SEPNU deliveries remained the biggest contributors to local supply, providing 2.335 KT/D through marine vessels. Other gas processing plants delivered 0.805 KT/D via trucks, while local refineries contributed only 0.485 KT/D. Analysts say the figures raise questions about the effectiveness of government efforts under the “Decade of Gas” initiative, which was designed to boost local gas utilisation and reduce dependence on imported energy products.
Adding to concerns, Nigeria continues to lose significant economic value through gas flaring. Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that the country flared approximately 301.6 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas between January 2025 and June 2026. At prevailing market prices, the wasted gas is estimated to be worth about $888.2 million. Environmental advocates warn that beyond the financial losses, gas flaring continues to contribute to pollution, climate change and health risks for communities in the Niger Delta.
Despite repeated commitments to strengthen domestic gas supply for power generation, industrialisation and compressed natural gas (CNG) development, Nigeria exported more gas than it consumed locally during the 18-month period. Records show that 1.506 trillion standard cubic feet of gas were exported, compared to 1.162 trillion supplied to the domestic market. The trend has renewed debate over whether Africa’s largest oil producer can successfully balance export earnings with the growing energy needs of its citizens, particularly as households and businesses continue to grapple with rising fuel costs and supply shortages.
source: The guardian
