The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has clarified that recent increases in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices are driven by market forces, not government intervention or subsidy removal.
George Ene-Ita, NMDPRA’s Director of Public Affairs, explained that CNG pricing is based on a baseline set under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Any adjustments within this framework are considered legitimate, he added.
The statement comes after CNG stations in Abuja raised prices from ₦230 to ₦380 per Standard Cubic Metre, causing long queues and limited availability. Analysts have attributed the surge mainly to infrastructure challenges affecting distribution in Abuja and Lagos.
The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (P-CNGi) also confirmed that the government has not issued directives to change CNG pump prices. According to the initiative, the recent hikes are purely decisions made by private operators. P-CNGi reaffirmed its mission, under President Bola Tinubu’s directive, to promote the growth of Nigeria’s CNG market and encourage adoption of cleaner, more affordable alternatives to petrol and diesel.
