Nigerian households are facing renewed hardship following a sharp increase in the price of cooking gas, with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) now selling for as much as ₦2,000 per kilogram in several parts of the country.
The latest surge has sparked concern among consumers, food vendors and small business operators already grappling with rising food prices, transportation costs and inflation.
Market surveys across Lagos, Ogun, Abuja and other major cities showed that cooking gas prices have risen significantly in recent weeks, pushing the cost of refilling a standard 12.5kg cylinder above ₦20,000 in some locations.
Industry operators attributed the increase to supply shortages at major depots, rising ex-depot prices, foreign exchange pressures, logistics costs and growing volatility in the global energy market.
Reports indicated that major suppliers, including Dangote Refinery and other LPG depot operators, recently adjusted their prices upward, forcing retailers to transfer the additional costs to consumers.
Many residents lamented that cooking gas, once promoted as an affordable and cleaner alternative to kerosene and firewood, is gradually becoming unaffordable for average Nigerians.
Several households said they had begun rationing usage, reducing the frequency of cooking, or considering alternative energy sources as the cost of refilling cylinders continues to climb.
Small-scale food vendors also expressed concern over shrinking profit margins, noting that the rising cost of gas could eventually lead to higher food prices.
Energy experts warned that unless supply challenges are addressed and market stability improves, cooking gas prices may remain elevated in the coming weeks.
Stakeholders in the LPG sector have called on the Federal Government to intervene through measures aimed at stabilising supply, reducing distribution bottlenecks and cushioning the impact on consumers.
The development comes amid broader concerns over the rising cost of living, with many Nigerians struggling to cope with increasing expenses on food, transportation, electricity and household energy.
Analysts warned that continued increases in cooking gas prices could force more families to return to the use of firewood and charcoal, potentially undermining efforts to promote cleaner and safer cooking energy across the country.
