More hardship for Nigerians as gas hits N1,500/kg

Nigerians are facing fresh pressure on household energy costs as the price of cooking gas has increased by 25 per cent, rising from N1,200 to N1,500 per kilogramme.

The latest increase comes amid a further rise in the price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, with the commodity selling for as much as N2,300 per litre at some filling stations and depots.

The development is expected to compound the financial burden on households and businesses already grappling with high energy and operating costs.

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The latest mid-day depot price report for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, showed that diesel prices recorded significant increases, particularly in Lagos and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In Lagos, Ibachem recorded the highest increase among the depots listed, raising its AGO price by N170 from N1,830 to N2,000 per litre.

Ibeto followed with a N135 increase, moving from N1,835 to N1,970 per litre, while Duport and Integrated increased their prices by N110 each to N1,940 per litre.

Ardova also raised its diesel price by N20 to N1,970 per litre, while Eterna and Rain Oil sold at N2,000 per litre. Nipco’s price stood at N1,950 per litre.

Similar increases were recorded in Port Harcourt, where African Terminal, Duport and Integrated raised their AGO prices by N110 each to N1,940 per litre.

In Warri, Matrix increased its diesel price by N40, from N2,080 to N2,120 per litre, making it the highest depot price captured in the report.

The rising cost of diesel is likely to put further pressure on manufacturers, transport operators, telecommunications companies, small businesses and other users that depend heavily on diesel-powered generators and vehicles.

Meanwhile, petrol prices remained relatively stable in Lagos, where the product sold within a narrow range of N1,350 and N1,353 per litre.

Dangote, Pinnacle and A.A. Rano recorded N1 reductions, while Ascon and Integrated increased their prices by N2.

MRS retained its price at N1,352 per litre, while Sahara and African Terminal increased their prices by N1 each to N1,352.

Some of the notable petrol price reductions were recorded in Calabar, where Alkanes reduced its price by N17 to N1,338 per litre.

Matrix also cut its price by N10 to N1,355, while Mainland and Soroman reduced their prices to N1,338 per litre.

In Warri, Matrix and Keonamex maintained their petrol prices at N1,350 per litre, while Nepal and Prudent reduced theirs by N10 each to N1,340. Rain Oil retained its price at N1,350.

The latest price movements highlight the contrasting trends in the downstream petroleum sector, with petrol prices showing relative stability in some locations while diesel continues to record increases.

The situation could translate into higher production, transportation and logistics costs, particularly for businesses that rely on diesel for electricity generation and other operations.

Commenting on the development, Vice-President, Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria (OGSPAN), Lawal Kamaldeen, told Vanguard that the downstream sector remained unstable, with prices continuing to fluctuate.

“The downstream sector has been very unstable, characterised by frequent leaps in prices due to the prolonged USA-Iran war. Prices are likely to continue to be unstable in the coming weeks,” he said.