Nigerians are facing renewed pressure on household and business expenses following a sharp increase in the price of cooking gas, which has risen by 25 per cent from ₦1,200 to ₦1,500 per kilogramme.
The development comes alongside another increase in the price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, with the commodity selling for as much as ₦2,300 per litre at some filling stations and depots.
The latest price increases are expected to further strain households, manufacturers and businesses already contending with high energy and operating costs.
READ ALSO:Cooking Gas prices drop as improved supply eases pressure on consumers
According to the mid-day depot price report for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, diesel prices recorded notable increases in Lagos and Port Harcourt, among other locations.
In Lagos, Ibachem recorded the largest increase, raising its AGO price by ₦170, from ₦1,830 to ₦2,000 per litre.
Ibeto increased its price by ₦135, from ₦1,835 to ₦1,970 per litre, while Duport and Integrated raised their prices by ₦110 each to ₦1,940 per litre.
Ardova also increased its diesel price by ₦20 to ₦1,970 per litre, while Eterna and Rain Oil sold at ₦2,000 per litre. Nipco’s price stood at ₦1,950 per litre.
Port Harcourt also recorded increases, with African Terminal, Duport and Integrated raising their AGO prices by ₦110 each to ₦1,940 per litre.
In Warri, Matrix increased its diesel price from ₦2,080 to ₦2,120 per litre, representing a ₦40 rise and the highest depot price recorded in the report.
READ ALSO:FG launches crackdown on LPG hoarding as rising cooking Gas prices trigger concern
The rising diesel cost could add to expenses for manufacturers, transport operators, telecommunications companies, small businesses and other organisations that depend on diesel-powered generators and vehicles.
Meanwhile, petrol prices remained relatively stable in Lagos, with the product selling between ₦1,350 and ₦1,353 per litre.
Dangote, Pinnacle and A.A. Rano reduced their prices by ₦1, while Ascon and Integrated increased theirs by ₦2.
MRS maintained its price at ₦1,352 per litre, while Sahara and African Terminal increased their prices by ₦1 each to ₦1,352.
In Calabar, Alkanes reduced its petrol price by ₦17 to ₦1,338 per litre, while Matrix cut its price by ₦10 to ₦1,355.
Mainland and Soroman also reduced their petrol prices to ₦1,338 per litre.
READ ALSO:Cooking gas prices to drop as FG halts exports from Nov 1
In Warri, Matrix and Keonamex retained their petrol prices at ₦1,350 per litre. Nepal and Prudent reduced their prices by ₦10 each to ₦1,340, while Rain Oil maintained its price at ₦1,350.
The latest movements point to differing trends across the downstream petroleum market, with petrol prices remaining relatively stable in some areas while diesel continues to record increases.
The development could further raise production, transportation and logistics costs, particularly for businesses that rely heavily on diesel for electricity generation and other operations.
Commenting on the situation, Vice-President of the Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria (OGSPAN), Lawal Kamaldeen, told Vanguard that the downstream sector remained unstable, with prices continuing to fluctuate.
READ ALSO:Cooking gas prices to drop as FG halts exports from Nov 1
He attributed the instability to what he described as the prolonged USA-Iran war and warned that prices could remain volatile in the coming weeks.
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