The average cost of refilling a 12.5-kilogram cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) surged by 55.22% to N15,929.04 in March from N10,262.56 in the same month last year, according to the latest March Cooking Gas Price Watch by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Month-on-month, the price of cooking gas rose by 5.77% to N15,929.04 in March 2024 compared to N15,060.38 in February.
Sokoto recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas at N17,833.33, followed by Osun with N17,588.46 and Anambra with N17,417.65. Conversely, Katsina had the lowest average price at N12,400.00, followed by Kebbi and Bauchi with N13,137.50 and N14,484.25, respectively.
By zone, the South-South had the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas at N16,859.85, followed by the South-East with N16,734.87. In contrast, the North-East recorded the lowest price at N14,943.48.
This increase coincides with Nigeria’s rising inflation rates. NBS plans to release April’s inflation figures next week. Headline and food inflation in the country rose to 33.20% and 40.01%, respectively, in March 2024.