Many Nigerians are expressing frustration as the cost of cooking gas continues to climb across the country, putting additional pressure on households already struggling with rising living expenses.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has now surged to about ₦1,500 per kilogram in several parts of the country. The sharp increase has sparked complaints from consumers who say the price contradicts the government’s push for cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.
Market checks show that the price of gas at depots has also jumped significantly. A 20-metric-tonne supply that previously sold for about ₦18 million in March now goes for over ₦21 million, forcing retailers to increase their prices to stay in business.
The impact is being felt differently across regions, with the South-South zone reportedly recording some of the highest prices, while certain northern states are seeing slightly lower rates. Still, the upward trend has affected nearly every part of the country.
In Kano, some vendors now sell a 12.5kg cylinder for as high as ₦16,800, compared to about ₦14,800 previously. Refilling a 6kg cylinder that once cost ₦7,400 has also risen to around ₦8,400 in several outlets.
A resident, Nasiru Ali, said the constant increase has forced him to rethink how his family cooks at home. According to him, he sometimes switches to charcoal, especially when heating water, to conserve gas.
Civil servant, Aduke Joseph, also lamented the situation, saying the high cost of cooking gas is draining her already limited salary. She explained that she now carefully plans when to use gas and when to rely on charcoal instead.
In Ibadan, a housewife, Ashabi Lawal, said she has temporarily abandoned cooking gas altogether. She revealed that she now relies on firewood, coal and sawdust to prepare meals until prices drop.
Residents in Abuja are facing a similar struggle, where the price of cooking gas recently climbed to around ₦1,300 per kilogram. Many families there say they have turned to charcoal stoves and other cheaper alternatives to survive.
Energy analysts say several factors are responsible for the spike in prices. Among them are ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East affecting global energy supply, the weakening of the Nigerian naira against the US dollar, and limited domestic gas infrastructure.
Industry data also shows that Nigeria’s daily cooking gas supply fell to about 4.7 metric tonnes in February 2026, down from 5.1 metric tonnes in December 2025, partly due to global energy disruptions.
Despite Nigeria being rich in natural gas, many consumers say the rising cost defeats the purpose of promoting gas as a cleaner and more affordable cooking fuel. They are now urging the government to boost local production and stabilise prices to make the product accessible to ordinary Nigerians.
For many families, however, the reality is simple: if cooking gas keeps getting more expensive, millions may be forced to return to traditional fuels like charcoal and firewood.
