Latest NBS data shows double-digit monthly increases in LPG costs, deepening pressure on consumers amid global energy turmoil….
The cost of cooking gas in Nigeria surged significantly in March 2026, adding fresh strain to household budgets already stretched by rising living expenses.
According to the latest Liquefied Petroleum Gas Price Watch released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the average price to refill a 5kg cylinder climbed to N7,655.73 during the month. This marks a sharp 12.60% increase from the N6,799.18 recorded in February.
On a year-on-year basis, the rise was more modest but still notable, with prices up 4.55% compared to March 2025.
A closer look at state-level data reveals wide variations across the country. Kaduna recorded the highest average refill price for 5kg cylinders at N9,212.21, followed by Lagos at N8,909.73 and Taraba at N8,802.78. At the lower end, Bauchi posted the cheapest average at N6,295.40, with Osun and Ondo also ranking among the most affordable.
Regional trends show the North-West leading with the highest average price of N8,137.81, while the South-South recorded the lowest at N7,300.95.
The upward pressure was even more pronounced for larger cylinders. The average cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder rose by 15.62% month-on-month, jumping from N16,997.94 in February to N19,652.83 in March. Compared to the same period last year, prices increased by 6.48%.
Nasarawa topped the chart for 12.5kg refills at N23,418.12, closely followed by Kaduna and Akwa Ibom. Meanwhile, Bauchi again recorded the lowest average price, with Osun and Ondo trailing behind.
On a regional basis, the North-West posted the highest average price for 12.5kg cylinders at N20,701.66, while the South-East emerged as the least expensive region.
The surge in cooking gas prices comes against a backdrop of heightened global uncertainty. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East particularly involving Iran have driven up oil prices and raised concerns about supply disruptions, especially around critical transit routes like the Strait of Hormuz.
As energy prices rise globally, the effects are filtering down into domestic markets. Higher fuel costs typically translate into increased transportation and production expenses, which in turn push up the price of essential goods and services.
For Nigerian households, the latest data underscores a growing cost-of-living challenge. With cooking gas prices rising at double-digit rates within a single month, many families are facing tougher choices as energy expenses take a larger share of their income.
The report ultimately reflects a broader trend: as global energy markets remain volatile, the impact is being felt more sharply at the local level right in everyday household consumption.
