By Emiola Osifeso
Nigerians received a rare reprieve in August as the average retail price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, popularly known as cooking gas, fell sharply by 17.4 per cent month-on-month. According to the latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average cost of refilling a 12.5 kilogramme cylinder dropped from ₦14,375 in July to ₦11,875 in August 2025. On a year-on-year basis, the price also fell by 16.7 per cent when compared to ₦14,261.57 recorded in August 2024.
The data, however, shows a more complicated picture when viewed across the country. In its July “LPG Price Watch” report, the NBS noted that the average retail price for refilling a 5 kilogramme cylinder declined slightly by 0.96 per cent, falling from ₦8,323.95 in June to ₦8,243.79 in July. Despite the marginal monthly decline, the same report revealed that on a year-on-year basis the price jumped by nearly 38 per cent from ₦5,974.55 recorded in July 2024. Similarly, the 12.5 kilogramme cylinder witnessed a month-on-month decline of 1.91 per cent, from ₦21,010.56 in June to ₦20,609.48 in July. Yet when compared with the same period in 2024, the cost was higher by 44.51 per cent, showing that while prices are easing in the short term, Nigerians are still paying far more than they did a year ago.
The state-by-state breakdown further reveals sharp disparities. In July, Adamawa topped the list with an average price of ₦9,011.36 for a 5 kilogramme refill, closely followed by Rivers at ₦9,005 and Taraba at ₦8,945.43. On the other end of the scale, Yobe recorded the lowest price at ₦7,612, followed by Niger at ₦7,662 and Nasarawa at ₦8,000.25. Zonal comparisons also show variations, with the South-South recording the highest average at ₦8,511.26, followed by the South-East at ₦8,321.16, while the South-West posted the lowest regional average at ₦8,073.92. For the 12.5 kilogramme cylinder, Adamawa again recorded the highest price at ₦22,528.39, while Yobe had the lowest at ₦19,030.
Despite the official data pointing to falling prices, Nigerians who buy from filling stations and depots are reporting mixed experiences. At filling plants across major cities, the price per kilogramme now hovers between ₦950 and ₦1,020, depending on location, translating to between ₦11,875 and ₦12,750 for a 12.5 kilogramme refill. In Lagos, depot-level prices also vary. At Dangote Refinery, one kilogramme of LPG sells at ₦725, while Rainoil offers ₦810. Ardova’s price stands at ₦800, AA Rano at ₦820 and NAVGAS at ₦800.
Dealers attribute the recent fall to improved foreign exchange stability and government waivers on imported gas accessories. Jonathan Ohie, a gas dealer at Iju-Ishaga in Lagos, explained that about 60 per cent of the LPG consumed in the country is imported, making prices highly sensitive to exchange rate volatility. “A stable exchange rate means a stable price,” he said. “Right now, the dollar rate is relatively stable compared to what we experienced in May and June this year, and that is why you are seeing this decline in cooking gas prices.”
On social media platforms and community forums, ordinary Nigerians reacted with mixed feelings, with many expressing skepticism about the NBS figures. On Nairaland, one user commented, “They want us to believe that the average price of cooking gas in July was over ₦20,000 for a 12.5 kilogramme cylinder… absolutely not. Go to any gas plant today and a kilogramme still sells between ₦950 and ₦1,020. That’s the real market rate, not the inflated figures NBS is publishing.” Another wrote, “This is why many Nigerians don’t trust official statistics — they often reflect paperwork and bureaucracy, not the daily struggle of ordinary families.” Others shared personal experiences: “I bought last at ₦1,200 per kilogramme, as against ₦1,400 before,” one user said. Another added, “I bought the last one at ₦1,050 in Kuje, Abuja.” A third revealed, “Just filled 12.5 kilogrammes for ₦13,750 at ₦1,100 per kilogramme.” In Ibadan, a user said the current price is already ₦900 per kilogramme, while in Ogun State, a buyer confirmed paying ₦1,000 per kilogramme.
These sentiments highlight the ongoing gap between official statistics and the lived realities of households. For many families, the cost of refilling gas remains a heavy burden. As one forum user put it, “A family that refills once or twice a month still spends nearly ₦25,000 on gas alone. Instead of releasing contradictory reports, what people want are policies that genuinely bring down energy costs.”
The volatility of cooking gas prices in Nigeria has long been linked to structural problems in the sector. Despite being Africa’s largest LPG consumer and one of the world’s top gas reserve holders, Nigeria still relies heavily on imports due to poor investment in local processing and distribution infrastructure. High transportation costs further compound the challenge, making households vulnerable to global price shocks. In 2021, the Federal Government launched the “Decade of Gas” initiative to boost domestic adoption and reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels like firewood and charcoal. However, sharp increases in 2023 and early 2024 slowed progress, pushing many households back to more polluting alternatives.
The recent price drop therefore offers some relief, but it does little to erase the long-term pain of energy inflation. With food prices still climbing and electricity costs unstable, Nigerians remain cautious about celebrating what could prove to be a temporary decline. The hope among dealers, consumers and policy advocates is that the current trend can be sustained through deeper investment in local gas infrastructure and stronger policy intervention. Until then, as one skeptical Lagos resident remarked, “We will only believe in cheaper gas when the prices stay down for six months straight. For now, this is just a small breather in a very long struggle.”
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