As the festive season draws near, Nigerian households are contending with a significant rise in the cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly referred to as cooking gas.

Despite the Federal Government’s efforts to stabilize prices, the average cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder has soared, compounding the financial challenges of families already burdened by high inflation and economic hardship.

Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlights a 58.68% year-on-year increase in the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg LPG cylinder, which climbed from ₦10,545.87 in October 2023 to ₦16,734.55 in October 2024.

Smaller cylinders have not been spared, as the cost of a 5kg cylinder has risen by 51.58% year-on-year. Between September and October 2024 alone, the average cost of refilling a 5kg cylinder increased by 3.23%, reaching ₦6,915.69, while the price of a 12.5kg cylinder jumped by 2.58%, reaching ₦16,734.55.

In Benin City, gas vendors at major markets, including New Benin Market and Oba Market, have raised concerns about the spiraling prices, which have affected both sales and consumer purchasing habits.

Chinedu Ogbu, a vendor at New Benin Market, lamented the rising costs, “The increase is unbearable for both us and our customers. In January, a 12.5kg cylinder was much more affordable, but now, the high price is affecting our sales. Many customers are reducing the amount of gas they buy.”

Similarly, Sarah Ewa, a vendor at Oba Market, noted, “Before, many households could afford to refill a 12.5kg cylinder for ₦14,000 or less, but now, it’s a struggle for many families. Some are even switching back to kerosene or firewood due to the high cost.”

The surge in cooking gas prices comes at a critical time, as many Nigerians depend on LPG for holiday meal preparations.

With food prices and daily expenses also on the rise, households are being forced to rethink their festive plans.

In an attempt to address the crisis, the Federal Government imposed a ban on the export of cooking gas on November 1, 2024, in a bid to boost local supply and stabilize prices.

The removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on LPG has also been implemented to ease the financial burden on consumers.

However, these measures have yet to yield significant relief, as global energy costs and domestic distribution challenges continue to exert upward pressure on prices.