A sharp increase in the cost of cooking gas has forced many Nigerian households and small businesses to cut consumption, ration usage, or switch to charcoal and firewood, raising concerns about the country’s clean energy transition goals.
Across major cities including Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Ilorin, the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has climbed significantly in recent weeks. Market checks indicate that gas which sold for less than N1,500 per kilogram a month ago is now retailing for as much as N2,500 per kilogram in parts of Lagos, representing a rise of about 67 per cent.
The development has increased the financial burden on consumers and businesses that depend on LPG for daily cooking and operations. Industry estimates suggest that the nation’s monthly cooking gas expenditure has risen substantially as households contend with broader inflationary pressures and rising living costs.
Brandspur Brand News understands that the latest increase is being linked to a combination of international supply disruptions, higher freight costs, reduced imports and persistent challenges within Nigeria’s domestic LPG supply chain.
Residents interviewed across several states reported adjusting their cooking habits to manage rising energy costs. Some families now reserve LPG for quick meals while relying on charcoal for foods that require longer cooking periods. Others have delayed cylinder refills or reduced the frequency of home cooking altogether.
Food vendors and other small-scale operators are also feeling the impact, with many reporting increased production costs that threaten profit margins. Several operators said they have begun combining LPG with alternative fuels in an effort to remain in business without passing the full cost burden to customers.
Industry stakeholders have raised concerns that inconsistent supply and pricing uncertainties are discouraging import activity. Marketers argue that fluctuating market conditions and supply bottlenecks have made it increasingly difficult to secure adequate volumes of LPG for distribution across the country.
Energy experts warn that the shift back to charcoal and firewood could reverse years of progress toward cleaner household energy use. Nigeria has spent more than a decade encouraging wider adoption of LPG as a safer and more environmentally sustainable cooking fuel.
Despite growth in LPG consumption over the last decade, industry data indicate that per capita usage in Nigeria remains significantly below global averages, highlighting the country’s continuing clean cooking challenge.
Market analysts attribute the current pressure partly to global geopolitical developments that have altered international trade flows and increased competition for available LPG cargoes. These factors have pushed up import costs for countries that rely on overseas supplies to supplement domestic production.
Experts maintain that while local production has improved, Nigeria still requires additional investment and supply stability to meet growing demand. They argue that expanding domestic output, improving distribution networks and maintaining a competitive market environment will be critical to preventing future shortages.
Industry operators remain cautiously optimistic that incoming supplies could ease pressure on the market in the coming weeks. However, analysts expect cooking gas prices to remain elevated in the near term, leaving millions of households searching for affordable alternatives as energy costs continue to climb.
