Cost of Cooking Gas Rises by Nearly 30% in One Year—See What’s Driving It

The cost of cooking gas in Nigeria has risen sharply, with many households now struggling to keep up with the steady increase. Recent figures show that the price of refilling a 12.5kg gas cylinder jumped by nearly 30% over the past year, while the smaller 5kg cylinder saw over a 20% rise.

In April 2025, the average cost of refilling a 5kg cylinder rose to around ₦7,886, up from ₦7,322 in March. That translates to about ₦1,577 per kilogram. For a 12.5kg cylinder, the cost hit roughly ₦20,268, an increase from ₦18,456 just a month earlier—averaging ₦1,621 per kilogram.

The sharp increase, compared to April 2024, has left many Nigerians rethinking how they cook at home, especially with food inflation already taking its toll. The gas price hike, many say, is another burden that hits hardest at the family level.

While some states like Rivers, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom recorded some of the highest refill prices—stretching over ₦9,000 for the 5kg cylinders—others like Niger, Plateau, and Kebbi offered comparatively lower prices, slightly above ₦7,000. In the case of 12.5kg cylinders, Imo State led the chart with prices nearing ₦23,000, followed closely by Delta and Rivers, while states like Kebbi, Nasarawa, and Kwara stayed closer to ₦18,000.

People across the country are beginning to express concerns, with many switching back to firewood or charcoal where they can. Some say the situation demands urgent intervention to ease the pressure on ordinary Nigerians. But for now, the kitchen flame burns more expensively than ever.

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