Cooking Gas Prices Continue Upward Trend: 5kg Cylinder Now Costs N8,323 in June 2025

Nigerian households are feeling the pinch as cooking gas prices maintain their steady climb, with new data revealing a 1.92% month-on-month increase in June 2025. The latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) paint a concerning picture for consumers already grappling with rising living costs.

The Numbers Tell the Story

According to the NBS “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) Price Watch” report released Thursday, the average retail price for refilling a standard 5kg cylinder rose to N8,323.95 in June – up from N8,167.43 in May. This represents a staggering 19.49% year-on-year increase compared to June 2024’s price of N6,966.03.

The price surge isn’t limited to smaller cylinders. Data shows the average cost of a 12.5kg cylinder increased by 1.46% month-on-month to N21,010.56 in June, marking a dramatic 33.52% jump from June 2024’s price of N15,736.27.

Regional Price Variations

Price disparities across states reveal significant variations in affordability:

5kg Cylinder Prices

Highest Price: Delta State (N9,243.38)
Lowest Price: Oyo State (N7,100.00)

Regional Breakdown

The South-South zone bore the highest average price at N8,871.63, while the South-West enjoyed relatively lower costs at N7,960.42.

12.5kg Cylinder: The Bigger Picture

For larger households relying on 12.5kg cylinders, the price landscape shows:

Most Expensive States: Delta, Cross River, and Rivers
Most Affordable States: Yobe, Niger, and Jigawa

May 2025 in Review

The current price surge continues an established trend. May 2025 had already seen:

• 5kg cylinder prices rise 3.57% month-on-month (N7,885.60 to N8,167.43)
• 12.5kg cylinder prices increase 2.18% (N20,268.06 to N20,709.11)

Year-on-year comparisons for May were equally stark – showing 10.10% and 32.52% increases for 5kg and 12.5kg cylinders respectively.

State-by-State Breakdown (May 2025)

5kg Cylinder Extremes

Highest Prices:
Abia (N9,181.20), Ebonyi (N9,177.32), Rivers (N9,174.40)

Lowest Prices:
Oyo (N7,116.49), Niger (N7,142.07), Plateau (N7,177.10)

12.5kg Cylinder Extremes

Highest Prices:
Delta (N23,356.46), Abia (N22,953.01), Ebonyi (N22,943.30)

Lowest Prices:
Yobe (N18,500.00), Lagos (N18,536.00), Kebbi (N18,606.60)

Broader Economic Context

While cooking gas prices continue rising, there’s a glimmer of hope in Nigeria’s broader economic indicators. The NBS reports that headline inflation eased slightly to 22.22% in June 2025 from May’s 22.97%.

The cooking gas price survey involved over 700 NBS staff across all 36 states, ensuring comprehensive nationwide coverage of pricing trends.

What This Means for Nigerian Households

With cooking gas becoming increasingly expensive, many families face difficult choices. The sustained price increases may force some to:

• Reduce cooking gas usage
• Switch to alternative (often less efficient) cooking fuels
• Allocate larger portions of household budgets to energy costs

Experts suggest the price trends reflect ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s energy sector, including foreign exchange fluctuations, supply chain issues, and distribution challenges.

As prices continue their upward trajectory, consumers will be watching closely to see if any government interventions or market corrections provide relief in coming months.

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