Nigerians are abandoning cooking gas in droves. Soaring prices have made the fuel unaffordable for millions of households across the country.
Many families now turn to charcoal as their primary cooking energy source. But this alternative is becoming just as expensive, creating a difficult squeeze for consumers.
Our reporters visited markets in Kaduna, Kano, Ondo, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory. In every location, residents complained about skyrocketing costs for both gas and charcoal.
A pricing survey in Ilorin revealed the depth of the crisis. At Alkad Gas, one kilogramme of cooking gas cost N1,700, while a 12.5kg cylinder refill went for N21,250.
Competition between retailers hasn't brought relief. At AP Gas Plant, prices jumped from N1,600 to N1,700 in just one day.
Abdul Alhaji, a retailer, blamed the Middle East tensions for the spike. He noted that prices started at N920 before regional instability kicked in.
"Nobody knows what tomorrow's price will be," he told our correspondent. Supply shortages have lasted roughly two weeks, with some stations running dry while others maintain stock.
In Kaduna, the charcoal market tells a similar story of hardship. Traders say household demand has jumped because gas has become simply unaffordable.
Muhammad Bala runs a charcoal business in Sabon Gari. He's watched prices climb from N6,500–N7,000 per sack to around N8,000 currently.
"More people buy charcoal because they can't refill gas cylinders regularly," Bala explained. Rising demand naturally pushes prices higher, he added.
Supply chain problems are making matters worse. Forest access has become dangerous for charcoal producers.
Bala said workers once ventured deep into forests to harvest timber and produce charcoal. Bandit attacks have changed that calculation entirely.
"They stay near forest edges now because of security fears," he noted. This limits how much charcoal actually gets produced.
Weather patterns threaten to deepen the crisis further. Rainy season vegetation will make forest work even more hazardous, Bala warned.
He expects conditions to deteriorate significantly. The combination of insecurity and seasonal challenges will squeeze supply from both ends.
Back in Ilorin, gas retailers offered grim assessments of what lies ahead. Price movements have become unpredictable and rapid.
Consumers face impossible choices. They either spend heavily on gas or switch to charcoal at nearly similar costs.
Some households are cutting cooking frequency to stretch budgets. Others rely on firewood, the cheapest but most time-consuming option.
The situation reflects deeper economic pressures gripping Nigerian families. Energy affordability has emerged as a critical household concern.
Market watchers expect prices to remain volatile. International oil dynamics and domestic supply challenges will likely persist for months.
