…as cooking gas prices hit N2,000/kg
‘Since you can’t solve our problem, quit with immediate effect” – Food vendor
Ime Silas, Chucks Nwonye and Sanni Abdullahi
Public pressure is mounting on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Gas, Obong Ekperikpe Ekpo, as Nigerians across the country demand his resignation over what they describe as poor performance and rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, commonly called cooking gas.
The call was amplified in a public commentary released by contemporary issues analyst MistaGentle Samuel, who accused the minister of failing to meet the expectations of his office under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The statement has since triggered fresh debate on the performance of the gas sector and its direct impact on households and small businesses.
Price surge becomes flashpoint
The central issue driving public frustration is the sharp increase in the price of cooking gas.
According to the commentary and market reports from various states, the price of LPG has risen from about N400 per kilogram which it was before May 29, 2023 to around N2,000 per kilogram during Ekpo’s tenure as minister.
In Port Harcourt markets on Monday, dealers quoted 12.5kg cylinders for refill at between N30,000 and N31,500, depending on location and vendor. That translates to roughly N2,400 to N2,520 per kilogram. Traders said the price has remained volatile since late 2024, with little relief for consumers despite government assurances of improved gas penetration.
For many households, the increase has forced a return to firewood, charcoal, and kerosene stoves. Small food vendors, bakeries, and restaurants said operating costs have doubled, threatening their survival in an already difficult economic climate.
“When gas was N400 per kilo, I could cook for two days with N1,000. Now N1,000 cannot even last one meal,” said Blessing Okon, a food vendor at Mile 1 Market, Port Harcourt. “If the ministry in charge cannot control this, then maybe new leadership is needed. I think it’s fair to say here that since he cannot solve the problem, the Minister should quit with immediate effect.”
Accusations of underperformance
MistaGentle Samuel, in his statement, referenced last year’s media assessments that listed Ekpo among underperforming ministers in the Tinubu cabinet. Tribune Newspaper was among publications that carried such rankings in 2025, citing slow progress in key energy deliverables.
“Whether one agrees with those assessments or not, many Nigerians remain dissatisfied with the state of the gas sector,” Samuel wrote. He argued that leadership should be measured by performance and impact, and that citizens have the right to demand accountability when expectations are not met.
“Rather than seeing tangible improvements in the sector, the public continues to witness official engagements and tours that are not translated into economic growth in Nigeria,” the commentator added. He concluded that Ekpo should take responsibility for what he termed poor performance and consider stepping aside if he cannot provide the leadership Nigerians expect.
Context: Nigeria’s gas paradox
Nigeria holds Africa’s largest natural gas reserves, estimated at over 200 trillion cubic feet. Successive governments have promoted a “Decade of Gas” agenda aimed at expanding domestic utilization, reducing reliance on firewood, and making LPG accessible to low-income households.
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Gas, created to drive that agenda, has overseen several policy initiatives since 2023. These include campaigns for gas infrastructure expansion, import duty waivers on LPG equipment, and partnerships with private investors for bottling plants. Government officials have repeatedly stated that Nigeria has enough gas to meet domestic demand.
However, market realities have not matched policy targets. Analysts point to multiple factors behind the price surge: exchange rate fluctuations, cost of imported LPG, transportation and bottling margins, levies, and gaps in domestic supply chain infrastructure. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has attributed part of the price hike to global market trends and the landing cost of imported gas.
Ekpo, a former lawmaker and ex-Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, was appointed Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Gas, in August 2023. Since then, he has led several stakeholder engagements and inspection tours of gas projects across the Niger Delta and other regions. Ministry statements have highlighted ongoing efforts to expand LPG penetration and support local production.
Public reaction and calls for accountability
The resignation demands reflect broader public frustration with the cost of living. Since the removal of fuel subsidy in mid-2023, prices of energy and food have climbed, squeezing household budgets. Cooking gas, once promoted as a cleaner and affordable alternative to kerosene and firewood, is now out of reach for many families.
On social media and community forums, citizens have echoed Samuel’s call, asking for a minister who can translate policy into measurable price relief. Others have urged patience, arguing that gas infrastructure takes time to build and that global factors are beyond any single minister’s control.
Civic groups have also weighed in, saying the focus should be on transparency, measurable targets, and accountability rather than personnel changes alone. They argue that Nigerians need to see data on domestic gas production, supply volumes, and how policy interventions are reducing end-user prices.
What happens next
The Tinubu administration has not issued an official response to the latest resignation call as of press time. The Minister’s office has, in past statements, defended its record and pointed to long-term projects expected to stabilize supply and prices.
For now, the pressure on Ekpo demonstrates a key test for the government’s energy policy: converting Nigeria’s vast gas reserves into affordable energy for ordinary citizens. With millions of households dependent on LPG for daily cooking, the price at the cylinder remains the most visible measure of success or failure.
As market prices hold between N2,000 and N2,500 per kilogram, the debate is likely to intensify in the coming weeks, with lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and consumers watching closely for policy action or leadership changes.
MistaGentle Samuel’s comment ends with a direct appeal: “If a public office holder is unable to deliver on the responsibilities entrusted to them, citizens have every right to demand accountability and better governance.”
Whether that demand translates to a change at the ministry will depend on presidential assessment and the government’s next steps on gas affordability.
