The rising cost of cooking gas is forcing many households and businesses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to switch to charcoal and firewood.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the price of cooking gas in the FCT has increased from about N1,200 per kilogram to N2,000 per kilogram in recent months.
Industry operators have linked the increase to supply shortages, higher depot costs, foreign exchange challenges, and rising transportation expenses.
Residents and gas vendors who spoke with NAN on Sunday said many people are now turning to cheaper cooking alternatives.
A food vendor in Gwarimpa, Abuja, Mrs Mayo Akinpelu, said she stopped using cooking gas after repeated price increases made it too costly for her business.
According to her, she switched to firewood and charcoal because they are cheaper and can be bought in smaller 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.
“Firewood and charcoal are not as convenient as gas, but they help me reduce costs and keep my business running,” she said.
Akinpelu added that although customers sometimes complain about delays, the alternative fuels are now her only practical option.
Another food vendor in Dutse, Bwari Area Council, Ms Victory Samson, said the increase has affected her earnings.
“It has affected a lot; my profit margin has reduced. The government should help and bring the price back to normal,” Samson said.
In Kubwa, business owner Mrs Grace Oluwatimilehin said she was surprised by the latest increase.
“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.
“I now use electric hot plates for cooking and sometimes rely on charcoal and firewood instead of gas,” she said.
Mrs Abike Ojo, a mother of one, said the steady increase in gas prices is putting 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.
She called on the government to intervene, warning that rising gas costs could further increase household expenses.
A gas vendor in Kubwa, Mr Bamishile Bolanle, confirmed that gas now sells for N2,000 per kilogram.
“The increase has affected business because people’s purchasing power has dropped significantly.
“From what we observe, the major issue is product scarcity, although we do not know the exact cause,” Bolanle said.
Another gas vendor in Dei-Dei, Mr Alfred Orshio, said the increase has led to a drop 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.
Meanwhile, charcoal sellers say demand has increased as more people move away from cooking gas.
A charcoal distributor in Kubwa, Mrs Amina Yakubu, said:
“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.”
Another charcoal vendor, Mrs Saratu Ibrahim, also reported increased sales.
“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.
Firewood seller Mr Taninu Ibrahim also said demand has risen as more households and food vendors look for cheaper cooking options.
He noted that higher demand has also pushed up firewood prices.
“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.
Ibrahim attributed the increase to higher demand and transportation costs, adding that sales remain strong despite the price rise.
As cooking gas prices continue to climb, more residents and business owners are adopting alternative cooking methods, raising concerns about the cost of living in the FCT.
Stakeholders have called on the government to help stabilise prices, while vendors warn that continued scarcity and weak purchasing power could further reduce gas consumption and business activity.
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