Cooking Gas Prices Drop in Lagos, Abuja, and More Cities. Here Are New Rates

• Cooking prices have taken a turn for the better in Lagos, Abuja and several other Nigerian cities
• The development is a departure from previous weeks when the product sold for N1,050 per kilogramme at most depots
• The current crash has been attributed to import waivers by the Nigerian government and the naira’s resurgence

Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.

In a surprising twist that left customers dazed, the price of liquified natural gas (LPG) has crashed in Lagos, Abuja and parts of Nigerian cities.

Major LPG depots, surveyed by Legit.ng, disclosed that the price of the commodity crashed following the removal of import duty on accessories by the Nigerian government and the strengthening of the naira.

Cooking price crash: What changed?

“Most of the LPG consumed in Nigeria is imported, hence the need for the government to incentivise importers by introducing waivers on LPG accessories,” policy analyst and Team Lead at Platforms Africa, Adeola Yusuf, stated.

Findings showed that one kilogramme of cooking gas, which sold for N1,050 last week, now sells for N1,000.

It means that a 12.5kg cylinder refill, which costs N13,125, now sells for N12,500, while a 6kg cylinder now sells for N6,000 from N6,300, and a 3kg cylinder sells for N3,000 from N3,150.

How does the FX rate determine prices?

John Bamidele, a manager at one of the leading gas plants in Lagos, said that the crash was also due to the naira’s stability.

“The exchange rate is a significant factor in determining the price of LPG in Nigeria. Sixty per cent of LPG consumed in Nigeria is imported. So, the exchange rate is crucial in setting the price.

A stronger naira means cheaper products for Nigerians, not just LPG,” he said.

The naira rebounds, LPG price crashes

The Nigerian currency has remained relatively stable for most of May and June, with volatility at its lowest following the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the FX markets.

The apex bank has injected forex to shield the naira from global shocks, especially following the volatility in the global crude price caused by the Middle East tensions.

On Friday, June 27, 2025, the naira closed positively against the US dollar, trading at N1,535.90 from N1,545.

The move signals a positive development for LPG importers as the CBN tends to fix the import duty rate based on the prevailing foreign exchange.

LPG price crash is a significant achievement

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that in April 2025, the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, was N7,885.60. 

This represents a 7.69% increase compared to the previous month. For a 12.5kg cylinder, the average price in April 2025 was N20,268.06, a 9.82% increase from March 2025.

Also, the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of LPG increased from N7,322.49 in March 2025 to N7,885.60 in April 2025, a month-on-month increase of 7.69%.

The average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of LPG increased from N18,456.24 in March 2025 to N20,268.06 in April 2025, a month-on-month increase of 9.82%.

LPG price drop driven by supply, not policy - Expert

Energy economist Kaseem Abidemi Obakhume has attributed the recent drop in cooking gas (LPG) prices across Nigerian cities to increased supply in the domestic market rather than foreign exchange or government policy.

“Personally, I think it’s more of the supply. The more the gas that is sent to Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas(NLNG), the more the liquefied petroleum gas that’s sent from NLNG to the domestic market,” he told Legit.ng.

According to him, recent reports suggest NLNG ramped up operations of its capacity, contributing to the availability of LPG and easing prices locally.

He further explained the role of seasonal changes in global gas demand, noting that summer tends to bring a slight drop in international consumption for heating of homes.

“The global demand for gas in this period is actually slightly reduced because it’s summer. In winter, the demand is at a very high level... that’s when the prices of gas or LPG might actually go up,” he explained.

Obakhume, however, clarified that his opinions are personal and do not represent the views of any organisations he is affiliated with.

Cooking gas price drop could boost health gains – Analyst

A public health research analyst, Oluwanifemi Akin-Obembe, has said the recent drop in cooking gas (LPG) prices could trigger a meaningful switch from traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal among low-income households.

“The price drop actually could cause a meaningful switch to cooking gas in the sense that some households might have viewed cooking gas to be quite expensive. Once they see there's a significant price drop, that can cause them to move from traditional cooking methods,” she told Legit.ng.

She added that such a shift could significantly improve health outcomes in affected communities.

“And definitely yes, it will help reduce health issues, respiratory issues that are tied to indoor smokes,” she said.

Akin-Obembe also recommended that stakeholders consider easing access to gas equipment for low-income users.

“There could be subsidies in the cost of purchase of the actual equipment (the gas cylinder itself). Because at the end of the day, you realise that they tell you it's not the gas itself that is actually expensive,” she explained.

Beyond affordability, she stressed the need for sustained public education:

“There should be awareness and education of people. Let them know the long-term side effects of using firewood or charcoal inside their homes. And we should let them see the benefits of using this cooking gas inside their homes.”

10 cheapest, most Expensive states to buy cooking gas

Legit.ng earlier reported that the NBS, in its latest Price Watch report, disclosed that the cost of refilling Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, also known as cooking gas, has increased again.

According to the bureau, the price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of LPG rose by 7.69% month-on-month, reaching N7,885.60 from N7,322.49 recorded in March 2025.

The April price, when compared year-on-year, marked a substantial 20.92% increase from the N6,521.58 that Nigerians paid in April 2024.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a public health expert and energy economist for this report.

Source: Legit.ng