By Doris Onyekachi
The rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, is placing increasing pressure on Nigerian households, forcing many families to reduce meal preparation, switch to alternative cooking fuels, and spend more time meeting their daily energy needs.
Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate that the average price of a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas rose by 15.6 per cent to ₦19,652 in March 2026, while a 5kg cylinder now sells for an average of ₦7,655 nationwide.
In Anambra State, dealers currently sell a 12.5kg cylinder refill for about ₦17,783, while the cost of refilling a 6kg cylinder ranges between ₦3,000 and ₦3,800, compared to about ₦2,900 a few months ago.
Many households say the persistent increase in gas prices has significantly raised their monthly cooking expenses. As a result, some low income families have reverted to using firewood, charcoal, and kerosene for cooking, exposing them to health risks associated with smoke inhalation and burns.
The situation has also increased the burden on women and children, who often spend additional hours sourcing alternative fuels for household use.
Food vendors in Onitsha and other parts of the state report that the higher cost of cooking gas has increased their operating expenses, compelling many of them to adjust food prices upward to remain in business.
Gas dealers attribute the rising prices to several factors, including the depreciation of the naira, increased transportation costs, and reduced domestic supply linked to maintenance activities at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) facilities.
Concerned residents have called on the Federal Government to implement measures aimed at stabilizing LPG prices and making clean cooking energy more affordable for families already struggling with the effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.
Doris of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
