The cost of cooking gas in Nigeria has experienced a notable increase, with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reporting a 7.69% month-on-month rise in the average retail price of a 5kg Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder. As of April 2025, households and businesses now pay an average of N7,885.60 for refilling a 5kg LPG cylinder, a significant jump from N7,322.49 recorded in March 2025.

This sharp increase reflects ongoing pressures within Nigeria’s energy sector, where shortages and supply chain inefficiencies continue to drive price volatility. Cooking gas, a vital fuel source for many Nigerian homes and food service providers, is now notably more expensive, exacerbating financial strain on consumers.

The NBS report situates this price hike within a broader pattern of rising energy costs across Nigeria. Persistent challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, supply disruptions, and the influence of fluctuating global energy markets have all contributed to an unstable energy pricing landscape.

For Nigerian families and small businesses, the escalating cost of cooking gas presents a direct challenge to daily living and operational costs. Households reliant on LPG for meal preparation must now navigate tighter budgets, while restaurants and food vendors face increased overheads that may translate to higher prices for consumers.

Efforts by the Nigerian government to mitigate the energy crisis include investments in renewable energy projects and initiatives aimed at streamlining the energy supply chain. Despite these measures, the underlying systemic issues driving the surge in cooking gas prices remain largely unaddressed.

As the Nigerian economy contends with ongoing energy shortages and inflationary pressures, stakeholders and policymakers face mounting pressure to develop sustainable solutions. The recent spike in LPG prices underscores the urgent need for improved energy infrastructure and regulatory reforms to stabilize prices and ensure affordable access to essential fuels.

The ramifications of this price increase are expected to ripple throughout various sectors of the economy, highlighting the critical importance of a resilient and efficient energy supply for Nigeria’s continued growth and development.