Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, from N980 to N1,030 per kilogram.

The N50 increase at the refinery comes as retail prices continue to vary across different parts of Nigeria, with consumers paying between N1,200 and N1,500 per kilogram in 18 locations surveyed in August.

Sapele and parts of Edo State recorded the highest price at N1,500 per kilogram. At this rate, a 12.5kg cylinder costs N18,750 to refill.

Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory and Ijebu East in Ogun State had the lowest price at N1,200 per kilogram, translating to N15,000 for a 12.5kg cylinder.

The difference between the highest and lowest prices means consumers in the more expensive locations paid N3,750 more for the same 12.5kg refill.

Prices also differed within the same state. In Ogun, LPG sold for N1,200 per kilogram in Ijebu East, compared with N1,400 in Sango Ota and N1,300 in Ifo, Owode Yewa and Shagamu.

In Lagos, Ojo, Lagos Island and some parts of Ikorodu recorded N1,400 per kilogram, while Sabo in Ikorodu sold at N1,300.

Other locations recorded N1,360 per kilogram in Jos, while Aba, Benin City, Karu, Owode Yewa and several other areas recorded N1,300.

The median price for a 12.5kg cylinder across the 18 locations was N16,625, while the average stood at N16,847.22.

The latest refinery price increase adds to the pressure on households as cooking gas prices have continued to rise.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the average retail price of a 5kg LPG cylinder increased to N8,706.93 from N7,655.73, representing a 13.73 per cent month-on-month rise.

The differences in retail prices across locations reflect the varying costs involved in distributing cooking gas to consumers, meaning households in some areas continue to pay significantly more for the same quantity.