Cooking gas prices have surged yet again across Nigeria, with households grappling with steeper costs for essential energy. According to the latest Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) Price Watch report released Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) rose by 9.82% between March and April 2025.

The report shows that a 12.5kg refill now costs an average of ₦20,268.06—up from ₦18,456.24 in March. A smaller 5kg cylinder also saw a 7.69% hike, jumping from ₦7,322.49 to ₦7,885.60 within the same period.

Year-on-year comparisons show even sharper increases. The price of a 5kg cylinder surged by 20.92% from ₦6,521.58 in April 2024, while the 12.5kg variant climbed 29.61% from ₦15,637.74.

“The persistent rise in cooking gas prices continues to raise concerns about affordability,” the NBS stated, adding that it particularly affects “low-income households who rely on LPG for daily cooking needs.”

Among states, Rivers recorded the highest average retail price for a 5kg cylinder at ₦9,103.82, followed by Ebonyi (₦8,867.24) and Akwa Ibom (₦8,655.59). The most affordable 5kg prices were found in Niger (₦7,006.15), Plateau (₦7,014.87), and Kebbi (₦7,032.11).

For the 12.5kg cylinder, Imo topped the list with an average price of ₦22,938.73. Delta and Rivers followed closely at ₦22,831.70 and ₦22,759.56 respectively. On the lower end, Kebbi recorded the cheapest average at ₦18,080.27, with Nasarawa (₦18,106.85) and Kwara (₦18,173.67) trailing behind.

The South-South zone led with the highest average prices: ₦8,447.78 for 5kg and ₦21,536.12 for 12.5kg. The South-East followed closely behind, while the North-Central zone recorded the lowest average costs across both cylinder sizes.

As prices continue to trend upward, analysts warn of increased financial strain on Nigerian families and potential shifts back to dirtier fuel alternatives like firewood and charcoal.