By Arinze Uzo
Business News Correspondent
A wave of tension has swept across Nigeria’s energy sector as major cooking gas marketers stage protests against the Dangote Group’s plan to significantly reduce the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas. The protests come in the wake of reports that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is preparing to flood the domestic market with large volumes of cheaper LPG, threatening the current market structure and pricing model.
The move, which many Nigerians have welcomed as a long-awaited relief from skyrocketing gas prices, is being fiercely resisted by stakeholders in the LPG retail and distribution sector, who fear their profit margins will be decimated and their businesses pushed out of relevance.
Marketers Cry Foul
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association of Nigeria (LPGARAN) and several independent marketers across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt staged demonstrations at key gas depots and regulatory offices. Carrying placards and chanting slogans, they accused the Dangote Group of attempting to “monopolize” the industry under the guise of price reduction.
“We are not against lower gas prices for Nigerians,” said one protester in Lagos. “But there must be a level playing field. Dangote is using his refinery’s capacity and political connections to undercut us. If this continues, thousands of small and medium businesses will collapse.”
According to the protesters, the refinery’s scale of operations and logistics advantage makes it possible for it to sell LPG below the market cost that most independent players can match, leading to what they describe as “unfair competition.”
Dangote’s Position
In contrast, the Dangote Group insists its goal is to make cooking gas affordable and accessible to millions of Nigerians who have long been burdened by high energy costs. A spokesperson for the company stated that with the ongoing production and distribution ramp-up from the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria can now depend less on imported LPG, which is often subject to volatile global pricing and shipping delays.
“We are committed to reducing the cost of living for Nigerians. Crashing the price of cooking gas is part of our wider vision to create energy security for the country,” the statement read.
Insiders close to the refinery indicate that the company plans to offer LPG at nearly 30% below the current average market price, a move that would make clean cooking fuel more affordable for millions of households.
Regulatory Silence Raises Concerns
Amid the mounting protests, regulatory agencies such as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have so far remained silent, fueling concerns over transparency and policy direction.
Energy policy analyst Dr. Felix Obi warned that the dispute could escalate if regulators do not quickly intervene. “This is a test case for Nigeria’s liberalized energy market. The regulators must ensure fairness without stifling innovation or price relief for consumers,” he said.
Nigerians React
Many Nigerians, already reeling from the rising cost of living, have welcomed the news of potentially cheaper cooking gas. On social media, several users praised Dangote’s intervention as a “bold step toward breaking the cartel that has dominated the gas market for years.”
“I buy 12.5kg of gas at ₦13,000. If Dangote can bring it down to ₦8,000, he deserves a national award,” said Mrs. Oby Nnaji, a mother of four in Enugu.
What’s Next?
Industry experts predict a turbulent few months ahead as the market adjusts to Dangote’s influence. While cheaper LPG may benefit consumers, questions around market regulation, competition policy, and sustainability remain unanswered.
For now, the battle lines have been drawn between Nigeria’s most powerful industrialist and a restless group of marketers fighting for their survival. Whether compromise, regulation, or market forces will prevail remains to be seen.
