Nigerians Groan As Cooking Gas Prices Surge Beyond Reach

For millions of Nigerians already battling rising living costs, the sudden increase in cooking gas prices has become yet another painful reminder of the country’s worsening economic realities.

Across homes, markets and gas stations, frustration is growing as the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, climbs sharply beyond the reach of many households.

Over the weekend, the price of cooking gas reportedly jumped from around ₦1,200 per kilogram to between ₦1,400 and ₦1,500 in several locations, pushing the cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder to as much as ₦17,500.

For many families already struggling with rising food prices, transport costs, insecurity, poor electricity supply and inflation, the increase has deepened fears about how ordinary Nigerians will survive in the months ahead.

Confusion And Frustration At Gas Stations

At several gas stations around Amuwo Odofin in Lagos, customers gathered in small groups discussing the latest price hike with visible frustration.

Many arrived expecting to refill their cylinders at old prices, only to discover the cost had risen sharply overnight.

Some who came with 12.5kg cylinders could only afford to buy 8kg or 9kg. Others hoping to refill 4kg cylinders settled for 2kg instead, while many simply returned home empty-handed.

For some residents, the sudden increase felt like the final straw after years of economic hardship following the removal of fuel subsidies.

Fears Of A Return To Firewood And Charcoal

Several Nigerians expressed concern that the soaring cost of cooking gas could force households back to older and less environmentally friendly cooking methods.

One resident, John Chukwuebuka, warned that many families may resort to using firewood if gas prices continue to rise.

According to him, the shift could worsen deforestation and expose communities to environmental disasters such as erosion and desertification.

He also feared the destruction of forests would threaten wildlife habitats and increase pressure on already vulnerable ecosystems.

Environmental concerns have increasingly become part of the national conversation surrounding rising energy costs, especially as many Nigerians turn to charcoal and firewood as cheaper alternatives.

Anger Directed At Government

For others, the gas price increase reflects broader dissatisfaction with the current economic situation in Nigeria.

A resident identified simply as Morenike blamed the hardship on years of poor governance and worsening insecurity.

“This All Progressives Congress, APC, government is evil in every facet,” she said.

“Since 2015 when the APC government took over power, Nigerians have not known peace.”

She lamented the rising cost of food, insecurity across the country and the inability of many citizens to afford basic necessities despite Nigeria’s status as an oil-producing nation.

“Ordinary cooking gas, we can’t afford it again and Nigeria is naturally endowed with crude oil? How can anybody explain this?” she asked.

Morenike also criticised politicians for focusing on the 2027 elections while many Nigerians continue to struggle with insecurity and economic hardship.

Analysts Warn Of Wider Consequences

Public affairs commentator Rowland Adenuga described the development as deeply troubling for ordinary Nigerians who depend heavily on cooking gas.

“Instead of maintaining and stabilizing the price of cooking gas, which Nigerians have seen as a solace to the fuel subsidy removal, the government has allowed its price to skyrocket,” he said.

Adenuga argued that cooking gas should actually receive government support because of its environmental importance.

“Cooking gas prices should have been very low. In fact, if there is to be a subsidy, it should be on cooking gas, so that it will solve the problem of deforestation,” he said.

He warned that widespread dependence on firewood and charcoal could accelerate forest destruction and endanger wildlife.

“The wild animals will find no place to rest, desertification will increase, and so many other backlashes will come to play,” he added.

Inflation And Economic Pressure

Education rights activist James Hamilton linked the latest increase to Nigeria’s broader inflation crisis.

“Inflation is affecting the price of everything in Nigeria, including cooking gas,” he said.

“Once there is inflation as we have today, you expect that the price of everything will go up.”

Hamilton argued that many Nigerians had expected relief from the existing economic hardship, not another increase in essential household costs.

“If anything, Nigerians were expecting a serious reduction in the existing price because many people were still struggling to meet up,” he said.

He also warned that prolonged hardship could increase public anger if urgent action is not taken.

“The government must look at this latest rise urgently because the moment an average man cannot cook in his house, not because the price of raw food is high but also because even cooking gas is a problem, then, you are likely to have the people revolt along the line.”

Experts Point To Rising Demand

Not everyone believes inflation alone is responsible for the surge in prices.

Anthony Ugwu said Nigeria’s LPG production may no longer be sufficient to meet growing national demand.

The professor from Nnamdi Azikiwe University noted that many Nigerians have begun using cooking gas as an alternative fuel source for generators following the removal of petrol subsidies.

“Most Nigerians no longer use it to cook only; they now use it as an alternative to fuel to operate generators,” he explained.

According to him, this growing demand is placing additional pressure on supply and driving prices higher.

Ugwu warned that if the situation continues, more Nigerians will inevitably return to firewood and charcoal for cooking.

“And that is what people are doing currently,” he said.

“If you check, it is already affecting the prices of firewood and charcoal and that will also be disastrous.”

Growing Pressure Ahead Of 2027

Beyond the immediate economic pain, many Nigerians increasingly see the issue through a political lens as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.

Several residents and analysts interviewed expressed frustration that politicians appear more focused on future campaigns than addressing current hardship.

For many households, however, the concern is more immediate and personal: how to cook the next meal in a country where basic necessities continue slipping out of reach.

As inflation rises and living costs continue climbing, the latest cooking gas increase has become more than just an energy issue – it is now another symbol of the deepening economic strain facing millions of Nigerians every day.