The average retail price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, recorded mixed movements in July 2025, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). While prices dipped slightly on a month-on-month basis, Nigerians are paying nearly 40% more than they did one year ago.
5kg Cylinder Prices Ease Slightly in July
The NBS data shows that the average cost of refilling a 5kg LPG cylinder fell by 0.96% month-on-month, dropping from ₦8,323.95 in June 2025 to ₦8,243.79 in July 2025.
However, on a year-on-year basis, prices surged by 37.98%, climbing from ₦5,974.55 in July 2024. This stark increase underscores the inflationary pressures faced by Nigerian households despite the modest monthly retreat.
12.5kg Cylinder Prices Mirror Same Trend
Similarly, the average price for refilling a 12.5kg LPG cylinder declined by 1.91% month-on-month, sliding from ₦21,010.56 in June to ₦20,609.48 in July 2025.
Yet, year-on-year data paints a more sobering picture. Prices jumped by 44.51% compared to ₦14,261.57 in July 2024. The steep increase highlights the volatility in the LPG market, driven by supply constraints, foreign exchange challenges, and distribution bottlenecks.
Regional Disparities Persist
NBS figures reveal sharp regional differences in cooking gas prices.
- 5kg Cylinder: Adamawa posted the highest refill price at ₦9,011.36, followed by Rivers (₦9,005.00) and Taraba (₦8,945.43). Meanwhile, Yobe recorded the lowest at ₦7,612.00, trailed by Niger (₦7,662.00) and Nasarawa (₦8,000.25).
- 12.5kg Cylinder: Adamawa again led with the highest average refill price at ₦22,528.39, with Rivers (₦22,512.49) and Taraba (₦22,363.57) close behind. Yobe had the lowest at ₦19,030.00, followed by Niger (₦19,154.99) and Nasarawa (₦20,000.62).
At the zonal level, the South-South posted the highest 5kg refill price at ₦8,511.26, while the South-West recorded the lowest at ₦8,073.92. For 12.5kg cylinders, the South-South again topped with ₦21,278.14, while the South-West trailed at ₦20,184.79.
Market Context and Inflation Link
The cooking gas price movement comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s headline inflation easing slightly to 21.88% in July 2025, from 22.22% in June. Food inflation, however, stood at a steep 22.74% year-on-year, indicating persistent cost-of-living pressures.
Energy analysts note that despite marginal month-on-month declines, the sustained upward trajectory in LPG prices over the past year reflects structural inefficiencies in supply chains, global price dynamics, and the naira’s exchange rate volatility.
What This Means for Households
For millions of households that depend on LPG for daily cooking, the nearly 40% year-on-year surge is squeezing disposable incomes further. Experts argue that without targeted government interventions such as improving local LPG production, easing import bottlenecks, and stabilising FX prices may continue to fluctuate at elevated levels.