THE average cost of refilling cooking gas cylinders in Nigeria recorded a sharp increase in March 2026, with the price of a 5kg cylinder rising to N7,655.73, while a 12.5kg cylinder climbed to N19,652.83, according to the latest Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Price Watch released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
News Point Nigeria reports that the latest figures come amid growing global economic uncertainty triggered by geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, which continue to fuel concerns over rising energy costs and inflationary pressures worldwide.
According to the NBS report, the average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder increased by 12.60 per cent on a month-on-month basis, rising from N6,799.18 recorded in February to N7,655.73 in March 2026.
On a year-on-year basis, the average price also rose by 4.55 per cent when compared to the N7,322.49 recorded in March 2025.
State-by-state analysis showed that Kaduna recorded the highest average refill price for a 5kg cylinder at N9,212.21. Lagos followed with N8,909.73, while Taraba recorded N8,802.78.
On the other hand, Bauchi posted the lowest average refill cost at N6,295.40, followed by Osun at N6,457.35 and Ondo at N6,598.10.
The zonal breakdown further indicated that the North-West recorded the highest average refill price for a 5kg cylinder at N8,137.81, followed closely by the North-East at N7,890.53, while the South-South recorded the lowest average price at N7,300.95.
The report linked part of the rising cost pressures to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have continued to push global oil prices upward and intensify fears over energy supply disruptions.
Particular concern has centered around instability in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic oil shipment routes, where heightened tensions have increased fears of supply constraints in the global energy market.
Economic analysts note that rising energy prices often translate into higher transportation and fuel costs across economies, with emerging markets like Nigeria typically more vulnerable to inflation spikes triggered by international crises.
For 12.5kg cylinders, the NBS said prices rose even more sharply during the period under review.
The average refill cost climbed by 15.62 per cent month-on-month, increasing from N16,997.94 in February to N19,652.83 in March 2026.
Compared with March 2025, the average price represented a 6.48 per cent increase from the N18,456.24 recorded during the same period last year.
Nasarawa State recorded the highest average refill price for 12.5kg cylinders at N23,418.12, while Kaduna followed closely at N23,030.52. Akwa Ibom also recorded a high average price of N22,816.74.
At the lower end of the pricing chart, Bauchi recorded the cheapest average refill price at N15,738.50, followed by Osun at N16,143.38 and Ondo at N16,495.25.
Regionally, the North-West emerged with the highest average 12.5kg refill price at N20,701.66, while the South-East recorded the lowest regional average at N18,432.63.
The report underscores the growing burden on Nigerian households, many of whom are already struggling with rising transport fares, food prices, and other living costs.
According to the NBS data, the sharp increase in cooking gas prices reflects continued inflationary pressure in the domestic energy market, further squeezing household incomes and increasing the overall cost of living across the country.