Abuja: The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a continuous rise in the price of cooking gas in Nigeria, with the average price of a 5kg cylinder increasing from N7,655.73 in March to N8,706.93 in April. This marks a 13.73 percent increase within a month.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the NBS’s Cooking Gas Price Watch for April revealed that on a year-on-year basis, the price of a 5kg cylinder rose by 10.42 percent from N7,855.60 recorded in April 2025. Additionally, the price for refilling a 12.5kg cooking gas cylinder surged by 13.89 percent from N19,652.83 in March 2026 to N22,382.20 in April 2026. On a year-on-year comparison, it increased by 10.43 percent from N20,268.06 in April 2025.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) attributed the price hike to supply shortages, noting that cooking gas now sells between N1,500 and N1,700 per kilogram, while marketers pay between N25.2 million and N26.2 million for a 20-metric-tonne truck of liquefied petroleum gas, depending on the location.
Experts have linked the persistent price rise to global energy price increases, exchange rate volatility, and supply distribution challenges. Energy expert Mr. Chris Mordi stated that the Nigerian LPG market is influenced by international energy costs and foreign exchange fluctuations. He highlighted that depot shortages, inadequate storage infrastructure, and high logistics costs affect product availability and retail prices, despite improved local production. Mordi also mentioned the impact of the U.S.-Iran conflict on LPG importation, contributing to rising domestic prices.
Amidst these challenges, Nigerians have called on the Federal Government to reduce cooking gas prices to alleviate financial burdens on households. The persistent price increase has led many to revert to using charcoal and firewood, posing a threat to Nigeria’s progress toward cleaner and sustainable energy use.
More details from the report indicated that Lagos recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,745.10, followed by Nasarawa at N9,451.70 and Bayelsa at N9,422.74. Anambra had the lowest price at N7,204.76, followed by Ondo and Ogun at N7,239.49 and N7,825.75, respectively.
Analysis by zone showed the North-West recorded the highest average retail price for 5kg cylinders at N9,025.07, with the North-East following at N8,847.16. The South-East recorded the lowest at N8,224.37. For a 12.5kg cylinder, Katsina had the highest average retail price at N25,596.71, followed by Kogi and Gombe. The lowest average price was in Ogun at N19,564.36, followed by Bauchi and Anambra. The North-West also recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N23,276.95, with the North-Central next at N22,865.29.