The National Bureau of Statistics has revealed a sharp increase in cooking gas prices across Nigeria, with the average cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas reaching ₦21,010.56 in June 2025.
The latest NBS report shows that cooking gas prices have experienced both immediate and long-term increases, rising 1.46% from ₦20,709.11 recorded in May 2025. More significantly, the current price represents a substantial 33.52% surge compared to the ₦15,736.27 average recorded in June 2024.
“The average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of LPG increased by 1.46% on a month-on-month basis and by 33.52% year-on-year,” the statistics bureau stated in its comprehensive pricing report.
Regional disparities in cooking gas prices remain pronounced, with southern states generally recording higher costs than their northern counterparts. Delta State leads the country with the highest average price of ₦23,108.44 for a 12.5kg cylinder refill, followed closely by Cross River at ₦22,982.89 and Rivers at ₦22,971.27.
In contrast, northern states offer more affordable options for consumers. Yobe State recorded the lowest average price at ₦19,000, while Niger State follows at ₦19,242.48 and Jigawa at ₦20,025.94, providing some relief for households in these areas.
The regional analysis reveals that the South-South zone bears the highest burden with an average price of ₦22,179.08, followed by the South-East at ₦21,623.86. The South-West region offers relatively more affordable rates with an average of ₦20,402.42, providing the lowest regional pricing.
Smaller cylinder sizes have not escaped the price increases affecting the cooking gas market. The average cost of refilling a 5kg LPG cylinder rose to ₦8,323.95 in June, representing a 1.92% increase from May’s ₦8,167.43 and a significant 19.49% rise compared to the ₦6,966.03 recorded in June 2024.
For 5kg cylinders, Delta State again tops the pricing chart at ₦9,243.38, with Cross River and Rivers states recording ₦9,193.16 and ₦9,188.51 respectively. Oyo State provides the most affordable option for smaller cylinders at ₦7,100, followed by Plateau at ₦7,200 and Yobe at ₦7,600.
The regional pattern for smaller cylinders mirrors that of larger ones, with the South-South leading at ₦8,871.63, followed by the South-East at ₦8,649.55, while the South-West maintains the lowest average at ₦7,960.42.
These price increases come amid ongoing regulatory efforts to improve the cooking gas sector. Earlier this year, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority shut down 19 illegal LPG outlets in Delta State, targeting unauthorized facilities handling small domestic cooking cylinders.
The consistent price increases across both cylinder sizes highlight the growing financial pressure on Nigerian households, particularly as cooking gas serves as a primary energy source for domestic cooking across the country. The significant year-on-year increases suggest structural challenges in the LPG supply chain that continue to impact consumer costs nationwide.
