The cost of cooking gas in Nigeria surged sharply in April 2025, placing more pressure on already strained household budgets despite slightly easing overall inflation.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) rose by 7.69% month-on-month, from ₦7,322.49 in March to ₦7,885.60 in April.
Larger households also felt the impact. The average price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder climbed by 9.82%, hitting ₦20,268.06, up from ₦18,456.24 a month earlier.
Year-on-year prices show a steep rise
The figures are even more worrying on a year-on-year basis. The price for a 5kg cylinder jumped 20.92% from ₦6,521.58 in April 2024. Meanwhile, the cost of a 12.5kg refill ballooned by 29.61%, compared to ₦15,637.74 at the same time last year.
This trend reflects Nigeria’s broader energy challenges, where supply disruptions, forex instability, and subsidy reforms continue to drive up prices for essential commodities.
Rivers, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom lead in the highest prices
A breakdown of the data revealed sharp regional disparities. Rivers State recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at ₦9,103.82, followed by Ebonyi (₦8,867.24) and Akwa Ibom (₦8,655.59). In contrast, Niger State offered some relief with the lowest price at ₦7,006.15.
For the 12.5kg cylinder, Imo topped the chart with an average of ₦22,938.73, followed by Delta (₦22,831.70) and Rivers (₦22,759.56). On the lower end, Kebbi recorded ₦18,080.27, with Nasarawa and Kwara following closely.
Regional trends reflect broader economic inequalities
Zonal analysis showed the South-South region consistently paid more for LPG. The average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder in the South-South stood at ₦8,447.78, followed by the South-East at ₦8,351.29. The North-Central region had the lowest at ₦7,432.22.
Similarly, for the 12.5kg refill, the South-South again led with an average price of ₦21,536.12, while the North-Central zone remained the cheapest at ₦19,330.55.
March recap shows persistent monthly increases
In March 2025, the highest 5kg prices were recorded in Sokoto (₦8,157.38), Rivers (₦8,085.92), and Taraba (₦8,056.75). Kebbi and Oyo had the lowest prices.
For 12.5kg cylinders, Rivers again had the highest average at ₦20,964.79, while Nasarawa posted the lowest at ₦15,661.30.
Inflation eases, but price pressures linger
The rise in cooking gas prices comes even as Nigeria’s overall inflation rate eased to 23.71% in April from 24.23% in March, according to the NBS. On a month-on-month basis, inflation dropped from 3.90% in March to 1.86% in April.
While the slowdown offers a glimmer of hope, the surge in energy costs threatens to undercut gains in stabilising the economy.
Analysts say targeted interventions, such as improving LPG supply chains, stabilising exchange rates, and reviewing import tariffs, are essential to prevent deeper cost-of-living challenges.
Read more on Nigeria’s cooking gas prices surge 8% despite slowing inflation, says NBS
