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Cooking gas and petrol prices remained elevated across Nigeria between April and May 2026, as households and businesses continued to face rising energy costs amid persistent supply and distribution challenges.

The price movement was observed across major geo-political zones, according to a Nairametrics survey of major retailers and independent marketers as of May 23, 2026.

Rising depot prices, foreign exchange instability, transportation costs, and fluctuations in the global crude oil market were identified as the major drivers behind the increases.

While some states recorded only marginal increases in cooking gas prices, others experienced sharper spikes linked to regional supply shortages and logistics disruptions. Petrol prices also remained unstable nationwide, with pump prices varying significantly depending on location and marketer pricing.

Cooking gas prices recorded mixed but generally upward trends across most states surveyed between April and May 2026. Petrol prices also remained elevated nationwide, with independent marketers often charging significantly higher than major retail stations during supply shortages.

Across several states, a standard 12.5kg cooking gas refill sold between N16,250 and N22,500 in May, reflecting the pressure on household energy costs nationwide.

In the North Central region, Nasarawa State recorded cooking gas prices of about N1,500 per kilogram in May, up from around N1,350 in April.

Petrol prices in the state also increased from between N1,213 and N1,288 per litre in April to about N1,350 per litre in May. Black market prices surged further to between N1,400 and N1,600 per litre during periods of scarcity.

Industry operators attributed the continued volatility to higher depot prices, supply shortages, transportation expenses, and foreign exchange pressures affecting import and distribution costs.

Nigeria’s downstream energy market has remained volatile since the removal of petrol subsidies and the continued liberalisation of the foreign exchange market.

The combination of exchange rate pressures and fluctuating global crude oil prices has continued to impact the landing cost of refined petroleum products and cooking gas.

The persistent rise in household energy costs has added further strain on consumers already dealing with inflationary pressures and rising transportation and food expenses.

The continued increase in cooking gas and petrol prices is expected to sustain pressure on household incomes and business operating costs across Nigeria.

Energy prices remain a major driver of inflation, particularly for transportation, food distribution, and small-scale businesses dependent on fuel and gas-powered operations.

For many households and businesses, the sustained rise in energy costs continues to reduce disposable income and increase the overall cost of living nationwide.