The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has reported a sharp rise in the retail price of cooking gas, with the average cost of refilling a 5kg cylinder climbing from N6,395.82 in September to N8,081.75 in October, placing additional pressure on Nigerian households.
The latest Cooking Gas Price Watch, released on Thursday in Abuja, shows that the October price represents a 26.36 per cent month-on-month increase. On a year-on-year basis, the cost of 5kg gas rose by 16.86 per cent, up from N6,915.69 recorded in October 2024.
A breakdown of state prices shows that Borno recorded the highest average retail price for 5kg at N8,376.44, followed closely by Yobe (N8,357.98) and Ondo (N8,340.30). On the lower end, Bauchi posted the cheapest price at N7,051.54, with Ebonyi (N7,744.99) and Akwa Ibom (N7,806.31) also among states with more moderate rates.
Across geopolitical zones, the North-West registered the highest average retail price for 5kg at N8,188.55, while the South-South, at N7,956.61, offered the lowest.
The price of a 12.5kg cylinder also climbed steeply, rising 15.36 per cent from N16,155.09 in September to N18,636.77 in October. On a year-on-year basis, the price moved up 11.37 per cent from N16,734.55 recorded in October 2024.
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For the 12.5kg category, Borno again topped the chart with an average price of N19,391.57, followed by Yobe (N19,339.51) and Ondo (N19,289.65). The lowest average price was recorded in Ebonyi at N17,610.88, trailed by Akwa Ibom (N17,783.79) and Anambra (N17,783.79).
Zonal analysis showed that the North-East recorded the highest average retail price for 12.5kg at N18,953.86, followed by the North-West at N18,861.70. The South-South maintained the lowest price level at N18,207.65.
The Nigerian news cycle recalls that cooking gas prices spiked dramatically in September, jumping from about N1,100 per kg to as high as N1,800 in some outlets shortly after the PENGASSAN strike disrupted operations.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, linked the surge to the industrial action at the Dangote Refinery, while ongoing maintenance activities at the Nigeria LNG Train 4 facility have also added strain to supply levels.
NAN
