The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a continued surge in cooking gas prices across Nigeria. According to the April 2026 Cooking Gas Price Watch, the average price of a 5kg cylinder rose from N7,655.73 in March to N8,706.93 in April, marking a 13.73% monthly increase.
Year-on-year comparisons show the price of 5kg LPG climbed 10.42% from N7,855.60 in April 2025. Similarly, the average retail price for a 12.5kg cylinder increased 13.89% month-on-month from N19,652.83 in March 2026 to N22,382.20 in April 2026, with a 10.43% year-on-year rise** from April 2025.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) attributes the price hikes to persistent supply shortages, with retail prices now ranging between N1,500 and N1,700 per kilogram Marketers reportedly pay N25.2 million to N26.2 million per 20-metric-tonne LPG truck, depending on location.
Energy experts cite rising global energy costs, foreign exchange volatility, and distribution challenges as additional factors driving the price increases. Mr. Chris Mordi, an energy analyst, said that temporary shortages, inadequate storage, and high logistics costs continue to affect domestic availability, despite improvements in local production. He also noted that international tensions, such as the U.S.-Iran conflict, have further impacted LPG import costs.
As prices climb, many Nigerians are reverting to charcoal and firewood, raising concerns about environmental and health impacts, as well as the country’s progress toward cleaner and sustainable energy use.
A regional breakdown revealed that Lagos recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,745.10, followed by Nasarawa (N9,451.70) and Bayelsa (N9,422.74). The lowest prices were in Anambra (N7,204.76), Ondo (N7,239.49), and Ogun (N7,825.75). Across zones, the North-West had the highest average retail price at N9,025.07, while the South-East recorded the lowest at N8,224.37.
For 12.5kg cylinders, Katsinaled with N25,596.71, followed by Kogi (N24,558.25) and Gombe (N24,438.97), whereas Ogun had the lowest at N19,564.36. Zone analysis showed the North-West again with the highest average (N23,276.95) and the South-East the lowest (N21,060.92).
The NBS data underscores growing **household energy costs**, pressuring families and fueling calls for government intervention to stabilize LPG prices nationwide.
