Cooking gas and petrol prices remained elevated across Nigeria between April and May 2026, as households and businesses continued to face rising energy costs amid persistent supply and distribution challenges.
The price movement was observed across major geo-political zones, according to a Nairametrics survey of major retailers and independent marketers as of May 23, 2026.
Rising depot prices, foreign exchange instability, transportation costs, and fluctuations in the global crude oil market were identified as the major drivers behind the increases.
While some states recorded only marginal increases in cooking gas prices, others experienced sharper spikes linked to regional supply shortages and logistics disruptions. Petrol prices also remained unstable nationwide, with pump prices varying significantly depending on location and marketer pricing.
What the data is saying
Cooking gas prices recorded mixed but generally upward trends across most states surveyed between April and May 2026. Petrol prices also remained elevated nationwide, with independent marketers often charging significantly higher than major retail stations during supply shortages.
- In Lagos, cooking gas prices increased from around N1,300–N1,400 per kilogram in April to between N1,350 and N1,500 per kilogram in May, while petrol prices ranged between N1,200 and N1,350 per litre in May.
- In the FCT and Nasarawa, LPG prices rose to as high as N1,500 per kilogram in May, while petrol prices climbed to between N1,350 and N1,444 per litre at standard filling stations.
- Kaduna and Rivers states recorded some of the widest price ranges for both LPG and petrol, largely driven by supply constraints and logistics costs. Kaduna State remained among the states with some of the highest cooking gas prices. In April 2026, a 5kg refill averaged N9,212, while a 12.5kg cylinder cost about N23,030. Retail refills averaged between N1,300 and N1,500 per kilogram.
- Rivers State experienced some of the widest price disparities due to tightening supply conditions at major depots. In April 2026, LPG retailed between N1,000 and N1,500 per kilogram, depending on location and plant. By May, prices averaged around N1,400 to N1,500 per kilogram. A standard 12.5kg refill cost between N18,750 and N22,500, while a 5kg refill sold between N7,000 and N9,100.
- In the South-East, states such as Imo and Abia continued to experience higher petrol prices, with pump prices reaching as high as N1,500 per litre in some locations during May.
Across several states, a standard 12.5kg cooking gas refill sold between N16,250 and N22,500 in May, reflecting the pressure on household energy costs nationwide.
More Insights
In the North Central region, Nasarawa State recorded cooking gas prices of about N1,500 per kilogram in May, up from around N1,350 in April.
Petrol prices in the state also increased from between N1,213 and N1,288 per litre in April to about N1,350 per litre in May. Black market prices surged further to between N1,400 and N1,600 per litre during periods of scarcity.
- Abuja witnessed similar trends, with petrol prices rising from N1,200-N1,350 per litre in April to N1,364-N1,444 per litre in May.
- Rivers State recorded some of the sharpest cooking gas price disparities, with LPG selling for between N1,400 and N1,500 per kilogram in May and 12.5kg cylinder refills costing as much as N22,500 in some areas.
- For petrol, Kaduna State recorded prices between N1,193 and N1,350 per litre in April 2026. In May, prices ranged from N1,190 to above N1,400 per litre. Major marketers generally maintained pump prices between N1,200 and N1,280 per litre, although independent stations often charged higher rates during supply shortages.
- In Rivers State, petrol prices ranged between N1,250 and N1,400 per litre in April 2026. By May, prices moved to between N1,250 and N1,450 per litre at major retail stations, while unofficial roadside vendors sold petrol at over N1,500 per litre amid fluctuating supply chains and heightened demand.
- In Oyo State, cooking gas prices settled between N1,400 and N1,500 per kilogram in May, while petrol prices climbed above N1,400 per litre in some locations.
Industry operators attributed the continued volatility to higher depot prices, supply shortages, transportation expenses, and foreign exchange pressures affecting import and distribution costs.
Get up to speed
Nigeria’s downstream energy market has remained volatile since the removal of petrol subsidies and the continued liberalisation of the foreign exchange market.
The combination of exchange rate pressures and fluctuating global crude oil prices has continued to impact the landing cost of refined petroleum products and cooking gas.
- Marketers have repeatedly cited rising ex-depot prices and logistics costs as key reasons behind higher retail prices nationwide.
- Supply chain disruptions in some regions have also widened price disparities between major cities and hinterland communities.
- Independent marketers and roadside vendors have often charged significantly higher prices during periods of product scarcity.
- The cost of cooking gas has remained particularly sensitive to exchange rate movements due to Nigeria’s reliance on imported LPG infrastructure and supply linkages.
The persistent rise in household energy costs has added further strain on consumers already dealing with inflationary pressures and rising transportation and food expenses.
What you should know
The continued increase in cooking gas and petrol prices is expected to sustain pressure on household incomes and business operating costs across Nigeria.
For many households and businesses, the sustained rise in energy costs continues to reduce disposable income and increase the overall cost of living nationwide.
