Cooking gas prices keep climbing, and many Nigerians are abandoning LPG for cheaper alternatives. Charcoal and firewood now dominate household kitchens across the country.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers warned of serious consequences ahead. Without urgent government action, widespread discontent could erupt, officials say.
Marketers face crushing depot costs right now. They're paying between N25.2 million and N26.2 million per 20 metric tonnes of LPG.
Supply bottlenecks and logistics problems have made things worse. Operational expenses have spiraled beyond control, according to the association.
Households, food vendors, and small businesses feel the pain most. Many depend entirely on gas for daily cooking needs.
Families are being forced toward traditional fuels. Firewood and charcoal represent survival when gas becomes unaffordable.
Years of progress promoting clean cooking energy now face collapse. Government awareness campaigns are losing ground fast.
National clean-energy goals hang in the balance. Failure to stabilize prices threatens environmental gains and pushes people back to harmful alternatives.
In Kaduna, residents tell a familiar story. Many have already made the switch to charcoal.
Maimuna Sani, a mother of two, uses gas only mornings. She needs it quick to get her children to school on time.
Weekends mean charcoal for her kitchen. It costs far less than cooking gas.
"Charcoal is more economical than gas," she told our reporter. Just N200 worth can prepare an entire meal.
She last bought gas a month ago at N1,200 per kilogram. That single purchase cost her N14,000.
Latest price increases have deepened her concerns. She worries what comes next.
Badamasi Isa Adamu, another Dan Mani resident, alternates between fuels. His family's choice depends on what money he has that week.
When cash is tight, charcoal returns. When money comes, he buys gas reluctantly.
His household now uses gas mainly for morning water. Tea for the children before school is its primary purpose.
Everything else cooks on charcoal. He recently paid N1,400 per kilogram for just three or four kilograms.
That small purchase is already exhausted. He's back to charcoal again.
Bello Idris describes a similar pattern at home. Gas is strictly for boiling water these days.
Charcoal handles the real cooking work now. His situation reflects what's happening across Nigerian homes.
