Cooking gas also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG has become one of the most important sources of energy for households in Nigeria It is cleaner faster and more efficient than firewood or kerosene However in recent months the cost of refilling cooking gas cylinders has been rising steadily putting extra pressure on family budgets The National Bureau of Statistics has reported consistent increases in the price of both the 5 kg and 12 5 kg cylinders the two most common household sizes This article explains the current prices how much households are paying per kilogram the differences between regions and the major reasons behind these changes .
Current Prices for Common Cylinder Sizes
As of June 2025 the average cost of refilling a 12 5 kg cylinder is about 21010 naira while the 5 kg cylinder costs around 8323 naira This represents a sharp increase compared to the previous year The 12 5 kg cylinder rose by more than 33 percent compared to June 2024 while the 5 kg cylinder went up by almost 20 percent in the same period Even within a single month there was an upward trend as both sizes increased in cost between May and June 2025 .
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Price Per Kilogram Estimate
Although official figures are usually presented by cylinder size it is possible to estimate the average cost per kilogram For the 12 5 kg cylinder dividing the refill cost of 21010 naira gives about 1680 naira per kilogram For the 5 kg cylinder the calculation works out to around 1665 naira per kilogram This shows that whether households use the smaller or larger cylinders the cost per unit weight of gas is almost the same though some variation exists due to transportation costs retail margins and regional pricing .
Regional and State Variations
Prices are not the same across the country Some states in the South South region such as Delta and Rivers record some of the highest averages with 12 5 kg refills reaching over 23000 naira and the 5 kg cylinder above 9000 naira On the other hand states such as Yobe and Oyo record some of the lowest averages with 12 5 kg cylinders around 19000 naira and the 5 kg cylinder ranging between 7100 and 7600 naira Generally the South South tends to have the most expensive cooking gas prices while parts of the South West and some northern states report lower averages .
What Cost Per Kg Means for Households
For households the cost per kilogram has very real implications Families who rely on the smaller 5 kg cylinder now pay between 8300 and 9000 naira for a refill Larger households who use the 12 5 kg cylinder spend between 21000 and 23000 naira per refill depending on their location Despite the size differences the average price per kilogram is almost the same across both cylinder types meaning that larger families spend more overall simply because they consume more gas .
Drivers of Price Increases
Several factors are responsible for the steady rise in cooking gas prices Global fluctuations in the price of petroleum products play a role since a large share of Nigerias cooking gas is still imported The depreciation of the naira against the dollar has also made imports more expensive Transportation and distribution add further costs especially for states far from major depots Inflation in general also increases overhead costs such as labor and logistics which are passed on to consumers Regional supply differences including limited access in some states also contribute to the price variation .
Comparison Over Time
Looking at the data over a twelve month period shows the scale of the increase In June 2024 the average price of refilling a 12 5 kg cylinder was about 15736 naira while by June 2025 it had climbed to over 21000 naira For the smaller 5 kg cylinder the average price rose from about 6966 naira to 8323 naira in the same period This upward trend highlights how quickly the cost of living is changing for households that rely on cooking gas .
Challenges and Impacts on Households
These price hikes are difficult for many families to manage When the cost of cooking gas rises faster than income growth some households are forced to switch back to cheaper but more harmful fuels like charcoal firewood or kerosene This shift has health consequences due to indoor air pollution and also contributes to deforestation For urban families who depend heavily on gas budgeting becomes more challenging as they struggle to keep up with unpredictable price changes across different states .
Conclusion
Cooking gas refill prices in Nigeria have risen sharply in 2025 with both the 5 kg and 12 5 kg cylinders reflecting costs that translate to about 1650 to 1700 naira per kilogram The increases are felt nationwide but some regions pay significantly more than others Unless the issues of currency stability supply chain inefficiencies and import dependence are addressed prices are likely to remain on an upward path For households across the country this means higher energy costs and tough choices about how to cook safely and affordably .