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Rising cooking gas prices have forced many families in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to turn to traditional cooking fuels such as charcoal and firewood.
The price of cooking gas has recently increased from about N1,200 to N2,000 per kilogram in Abuja and other parts of the country.
Industry operators attribute the increase to supply shortages, higher depot costs, foreign exchange pressures, and rising transportation expenses.
As cooking gas prices continue to soar, residents and business owners are increasingly adopting alternative cooking methods, raising concerns about affordability and the growing cost of living in the FCT.
Residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the rising cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has forced many households and businesses to seek cheaper cooking alternatives.
A food vendor in Gwarinpa, Mayo Akinpelu, said she stopped using cooking gas after repeated price increases made it too expensive for her business.
She told NAN that she switched to firewood and charcoal because they are cheaper and easier to purchase in small quantities.
“Refilling my gas cylinder became difficult because the price kept rising. I could no longer afford it and still make reasonable profit. Right now, 12.5kg of LPG goes for N25,000,” Akinpelu said.
“Firewood and charcoal are not as convenient as gas, but they help me reduce costs and keep my business running.”
Akinpelu added that traditional cooking fuels are slower than gas, and although many customers complain about delays, they remain her only viable option.
Another food vendor, Victory Samson, said the increase has significantly reduced her profit margin and affected her business operations.
“It has affected a lot; my profit margin has reduced. The government should help and bring the price back to normal,” Samson said.
Grace Oluwatimilehin, a business owner in Kubwa, told NAN that she was shocked by the latest increase after recently purchasing gas at a lower rate.
“I filled my cylinder at N1,600 per kg the last time, but when I went back yesterday, the price had risen to N2,000 per kg,” Oluwatimilehin said.
“I now use electric hot plates for cooking and sometimes rely on charcoal and firewood instead of gas.”
Abike Ojo, a mother of one, said the continuous rise in gas prices is placing severe pressure on her household budget.
“The last time I bought gas, it was N1,500 per kg, but my most recent purchase cost N2,000. If prices keep rising, I may stop using gas entirely because it has become too expensive,” she said.
A gas vendor in Dei-Dei, Alfred Orshio, said the price increase has resulted in a noticeable decline in customer patronage.
“Earlier this year, we sold gas for N1,200 per kg. It later rose to N1,400, then N1,800, and now N2,000. I cannot blame customers for buying less. Filling a 12kg cylinder now costs about N25,000,” Orshio said.
A charcoal distributor in Kubwa, Amina Yakubu, said demand for charcoal has increased as more people switch from gas.
“Patronage has increased recently, and I believe it is because of the rising cost of cooking gas. I buy a bag of charcoal for N6,500 and sell it to my customers for N8,000,” Yakubu said.
Another charcoal vendor, Saratu Ibrahim, also confirmed growing demand, saying her stock now sells much faster than before.
“Business is moving very fast. What used to take more than a week to sell now takes just two days. However, many people have joined the charcoal business. I was the first seller on this street, but there are now more than five charcoal vendors here,” she said.
A firewood seller, Taninu Ibrahim, said demand has also increased significantly as more households and food vendors abandon cooking gas in favour of cheaper alternatives.
He noted that the surge in demand has contributed to rising firewood prices in recent months.
“More people now buy firewood because cooking gas has become too expensive for many families and small businesses. Before now, customers got six pieces of firewood for N1,000. Today, the same amount buys only four pieces,” he said.
