Rising cooking gas prices and intermittent supply shortages are forcing some middle- and low-income households across Nigeria to revert to firewood and charcoal, underscoring mounting pressure on living costs amid broader energy market constraints.
A 50-kilogram cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) now refills for about ₦85,000, up sharply from roughly ₦50,000 just five months ago, according to market checks. Smaller household refills have also become increasingly expensive, with a 5kg cylinder costing between ₦8,000 and ₦11,000, while a 12.5kg cylinder now sells for between ₦20,000 and ₦27,000, depending on location and depot.
On a per-kilogram basis, cooking gas-which sold for about ₦900 to ₦1,000 earlier in the year-now trades between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500, reflecting sustained pressure in the downstream energy market.
The price surge has pushed some households, particularly in urban and peri-urban communities, to alternative and cheaper cooking sources such as firewood and charcoal, raising fresh concerns among environmental advocates about deforestation and indoor air pollution.
Compounding the situation is a noticeable supply gap at several gas depots, where retailers say product availability has become inconsistent. A visit by our correspondent to multiple depots revealed that many dealers were uncertain when normal supply levels would resume, with some reporting delayed deliveries and limited stock.
The shortage and price volatility are being attributed to supply chain disruptions, foreign exchange pressures and distribution bottlenecks in the domestic LPG market, although operators in the sector say the situation remains fluid.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has warned that prices could remain elevated in the near term but projected a possible reversal if structural reforms are implemented.
According to the association, retail prices could ease to between ₦900 and ₦1,100 per kilogram by the end of 2026 if government policies successfully expand domestic supply, reduce import-related costs and improve infrastructure efficiency across the LPG value chain.
For now, however, households continue to bear the brunt of rising energy costs, with cooking gas increasingly becoming a luxury item for many families already grappling with inflationary pressures across food, transport and basic utilities.
Energy analysts say the trend highlights the urgent need for a more stable domestic gas supply framework, warning that without sustained investment and policy intervention, Nigeria’s transition to cleaner cooking fuels could face significant setbacks.
As prices remain elevated and supply uncertain, many households are left to make difficult choices between affordability, health and environmental sustainability-choices that are reshaping everyday life in kitchens across the country.
