By Our Reporters
The continuous rise in the price of cooking gas across Nigeria has forced many households to the brink, as families struggle to adjust their daily routines and expenses to cope with the soaring cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
For most Nigerians, cooking gas was once a cleaner and faster alternative to kerosene or firewood. But with prices now hovering between ₦1,400 and ₦1,800 per kilogram in major cities, the burden has become unbearable for many low- and middle-income earners.
Funke Idowu, a housewife living in Igando Lagos, said she has been forced to cut down on cooking frequency because of the new prices. “Two weeks ago, I bought my 12.5 kg cylinder for ₦7,200; by evening the price had jumped to ₦7,500,” she said. “According to me, my budget can’t keep up with that kind of change. I sometimes skip cooking or switch to bread and tea at night to save gas.”
Mrs. Grace Afolabi from Ikotun said her family has now resorted to using charcoal. “According to me, we now use charcoal instead of gas,” she said. “The 12-kg cylinder that once cost ₦3,800 now goes for ₦7,500. My family just can’t stretch to meet that cost every month.”
Mrs. Benson Tolulope, a mother of two, said she was shocked by how fast the price changes. “Last month I filled my 12.5-kg gas cylinder at the depot for ₦10,000. Today they want ₦12,200,” she said. “According to me, if I didn’t have extra money that day, I would have gone home without gas. I simply can’t keep up.”
Mr. Benedict Ekpenyong, a civil servant in Awka Ibom said he has instructed his family to reduce how often they cook. “I’ve told my wife to cook just once a day,” he said. “According to me, we no longer warm our food; sometimes we eat it cold. I can’t afford filling a 12.5-kg cylinder at ₦800 per kg when my salary hasn’t changed.”
Happiness Chukwu from Aba, Abia state says she now buys gas in smaller quantities. “I can no longer fill my 3-kg cylinder since the price went up,” she said. “According to me, it used to cost less than ₦500 per kilogram, but now it’s ₦850. Most times, I buy just one kilogram to stretch for a week. Even then, it doesn’t last.”
Many families are cutting back on meal preparation or limiting themselves to cooking once daily. Others have reverted to using charcoal and firewood, despite the health risks. Small restaurant owners say they now reduce portion sizes or increase meal prices just to survive.
Some households are even skipping breakfast or switching to ready-made foods to save on gas. The impact is being felt not only in homes but also in small eateries, bakeries, and food vendors who rely heavily on gas for production.
Analysts say the persistent rise in gas prices is due to multiple factors — including the depreciation of the naira, high import costs, and disruptions in supply. Many are calling on the government to step in with relief measures or incentives to encourage local production of LPG.
Until then, millions of Nigerians will continue to struggle with a simple but painful reality: the cost of cooking has become too high.