Cooking Gas Prices Surge Over 800% in 10 Years, Hit N30,000 per 12.5kg Cylinder
By Aboki Forex —
Nigeria’s cooking gas prices have jumped by over 800% in the last decade, rising from about N250 per kilogramme in 2016 to over N2,000 per kg in some areas today. Despite holding one of Africa’s largest natural gas reserves, more than half of the country’s gas production is exported, leaving local households and small businesses struggling to afford the essential fuel.
The cost of filling a standard 12.5kg cylinder has climbed to around N30,000, up from N25,000 just weeks ago. This sharp increase has forced many families to reconsider their cooking options. Some have turned to firewood and charcoal, a shift that poses serious health and environmental risks and undermines Nigeria’s climate targets.
Export Commitments and Supply Constraints Drive Prices
Industry operators say production volume is not the problem. The real issue is that too little gas is made available for local use. Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission shows that more than 60% of Nigeria’s gas was exported in the first quarter of this year. Limited reserves are left for local businesses, power generation, and households.
Irregular supplies from depots, a high international LPG benchmark price, and global energy market tensions have compounded the situation. Disruptions along major shipping routes have also created anxiety over global LPG availability, pushing prices even higher.
NBS Data Confirms Monthly and Yearly Increases
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Cooking Gas Price Watch for April 2026 confirmed the trend. The average price of a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas rose from N7,655.73 in March to N8,706.93 in April, a 13.73% month-on-month increase. Year-on-year, the price climbed by 10.42% compared to N7,855.60 recorded in April 2025.
Analysts Call for Domestic Supply Obligations
Energy analysts have urged the government to enforce firm domestic supply obligations. Chinedu Okeke, an energy expert, said: “If they can reserve a part of gas production for LPG and power consumption locally, the price of gas would be lower.” Analysts acknowledge that export earnings are vital for Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, but they argue that households must also benefit from the country’s natural resources.