For the fifth month in a row, Nigerian households are feeling the heat, literally and financially, as cooking gas prices climb yet again, leaving many struggling to afford what has become a basic necessity in daily life.
“I used to refill my 12.5kg cylinder for about N15,000 last year. Now, it’s over N21,000,” sighed 38-year-old tailor and mother of three, Blessing Johnson, who lives in Warri, Delta State. “Sometimes I have to stretch it for two months by cooking less often, or I switch to kerosene. But kerosene is also expensive. It’s like we are being squeezed from every side.”
According to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average cost of refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly called cooking gas, rose by 1.92 percent in June 2025 to ₦8,323.95, up from ₦8,167.43 in May.
While the monthly increase may seem marginal, the year-on-year jump is far more daunting: a 19.49 percent spike from ₦6,966.03 in June 2024.
The bigger cylinders tell an even more painful story. Refilling a 12.5kg cylinder now costs an average of N21,010.56, representing a 1.46 percent rise from May’s ₦20,709.11. Compared to June last year, when the price was N15,736.27, this marks a staggering 33.52 percent increase.
Regional disparities, national frustration
State-by-state breakdown shows significant price disparities. Delta State leads with the highest average refill price for a 5kg cylinder at ₦9,243.38, followed closely by Cross River at ₦9,193.16 and Rivers at ₦9,188.51. For a 12.5kg cylinder, Delta tops the list again at ₦23,108.44, trailed by Cross River and Rivers at ₦22,982.89 and ₦22,971.27, respectively.
On the opposite end, Oyo, Plateau, and Yobe offer some respite for smaller cylinders—averaging ₦7,100, ₦7,200, and ₦7,600, respectively. Yobe also records the lowest 12.5kg refill cost at ₦19,000, followed by Niger (₦19,242.48) and Jigawa (₦20,025.94).
The South-South zone has the highest regional average for refilling a 5kg cylinder at ₦8,871.63, while the South-West pays the least at ₦7,960.42. For 12.5kg cylinders, the South-South again leads with ₦22,179.08, compared to ₦20,402.42 in the South-West.
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The bigger picture, why prices keep climbing
Nigeria is Africa’s top oil producer, yet the country still imports a large portion of its LPG needs. This heavy reliance on imports exposes local prices to the volatility of the global market.
Disruptions in international supply chains, rising demand from other countries, and geopolitical tensions have all contributed to higher global LPG prices, which trickle down to Nigerian consumers.
Foreign exchange challenges deepen the crisis. The weakening naira means importers spend more to buy dollars for LPG purchases, and these extra costs are inevitably passed to buyers.
“Gas pricing is no longer just a local matter—it’s tied to the global energy market and currency stability,” explained Sola Adeyemi, an energy economist at the University of Lagos. “As long as our domestic production remains insufficient, Nigerians will continue to feel the impact of every fluctuation abroad.”
While demand for cooking gas has been rising—thanks to government campaigns promoting its clean-burning advantages over firewood and charcoal—domestic supply still lags behind.
Infrastructure challenges compound the problem. Poor storage capacity, limited distribution networks, and high transportation costs, especially to rural areas, drive prices further upward.
Government efforts, limited relief
In 2024, the Federal Government announced a halt to the export of locally produced cooking gas to boost domestic availability and stabilise prices. But nearly a year later, Nigerians say they have yet to see meaningful relief.
For many households, the price hikes have forced lifestyle changes. In urban centres, some now cook only once a day, reheating leftovers to save gas. In rural communities, some have reverted to firewood, raising health and environmental concerns.
“In my area, people are cutting down more trees because they can’t afford gas anymore,” said Fatima Musa, a small food vendor in Bauchi State. “It’s cheaper, but the smoke is killing us slowly.”
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The human toll
Behind the numbers are stories of hardship and adaptation.
Blessing Johnson now carefully times her cooking to coincide with her children’s school schedules, so nothing is wasted. She says she’s also teaching her kids to eat more cold meals.
In Port Harcourt, software engineer Chidi Nwosu pools resources with his neighbours to buy larger gas refills in bulk, sharing costs to soften the blow. “We’ve turned it into a community project. It’s not ideal, but it works for now,” he said.
Even restaurants are feeling the pinch. At a small buka in Lagos, owner Modupe Alade says the gas bill has doubled in the past year. “We used to refill twice a week; now it’s every ten days because we’ve reduced our menu. Customers complain, but what can we do?”
What lies ahead?
Experts warn that without a significant boost in domestic production and infrastructure, prices may remain unstable. Adeyemi believes investment in local gas processing plants, better storage facilities, and improved distribution systems is key to long-term relief.
“There’s also a need to stabilise the naira and create favourable conditions for importers,” he added. “Otherwise, we’ll be having the same conversation next year.”
For now, Nigerians continue to juggle their cooking needs with their budgets, hoping for the day when cooking gas, once a symbol of modern convenience, will no longer feel like a luxury.
“I just want to cook for my children without worrying about the cost every time I turn on the gas,” Blessing said softly. “That’s not too much to ask.”
