Nigeria cooking gas price surge leaves households struggling as LPG refill costs jump sharply across Lagos and other cities
Nigerians are grappling with renewed economic pressure following a sharp increase in the price of cooking gas, as residents and analysts warned that the latest rise could worsen hardship already fuelled by inflation, insecurity and high energy costs.
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The price of Liquefied Natural Gas, commonly known as cooking gas, rose over the weekend from about N1,200 per kilogramme to between N1,400 and N1,500 in several locations across Lagos State, pushing the cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder to as much as N17,500 from around N14,200.
The latest Nigeria cooking gas price surge has left many households struggling to cope, particularly low income earners who rely on gas for daily cooking.
A visit to several filling stations in Amuwo Odofin on Monday morning showed groups of frustrated residents discussing the worsening economic situation as many customers reduced the quantity of gas they purchased.
Some residents who arrived with 12.5kg cylinders reportedly bought only 8kg or 9kg, while others who intended to refill smaller cylinders settled for half their usual quantity.
Several customers left without making any purchase at all.
The dramatic increase comes amid continued complaints over the rising cost of living since the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration nearly three years ago.
John Chukwuebuka, a customer at a gas station in Festac First Avenue, warned that the increase could trigger dangerous environmental consequences as more Nigerians return to firewood and charcoal for cooking.
John Chukwuebuka said increased dependence on firewood could accelerate deforestation, expose wildlife habitats to destruction and worsen erosion in vulnerable communities.
Another resident, identified simply as Morenike, expressed anger over the worsening economic climate, blaming the ruling All Progressives Congress for rising hardship across the country.
Morenike said many Nigerians were already battling insecurity, expensive food prices and poor infrastructure before the latest gas price increase added further pressure on households.
The Nigeria cooking gas price surge has also reignited debate over the broader impact of fuel subsidy removal, which many residents believe triggered sharp increases across multiple sectors of the economy.
Public affairs analyst Chief Rowland Adenuga described the development as unfortunate, arguing that cooking gas should remain affordable to reduce pressure on ordinary Nigerians.
Chief Rowland Adenuga said government intervention was urgently needed to prevent more households from abandoning cleaner energy sources for firewood and charcoal.
The analyst warned that growing reliance on traditional fuel sources could damage forests, threaten wildlife and worsen desertification in parts of the country.
Education rights activist James Hamilton linked the increase largely to rising inflation, saying the cost of nearly every essential commodity had continued to climb in recent months.
James Hamilton cautioned that prolonged hardship could deepen public frustration if urgent economic relief measures were not introduced.
Meanwhile, Professor Anthony Ugwu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University argued that increasing demand for cooking gas, especially by Nigerians using it to power generators following fuel subsidy removal, was also contributing to rising prices.
Professor Anthony Ugwu said domestic production levels remained insufficient for the country’s growing demand, placing additional pressure on supply chains and market prices.
The professor warned that failure to address the situation quickly could intensify public anger ahead of the 2027 general election, as households continue to struggle with soaring living costs.
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The latest increase has become another powerful symbol of the economic strain confronting millions of Nigerians, many of whom now fear that basic household necessities are gradually slipping beyond reach.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
