Oil & Gas
RISING cooking gas prices are reshaping household energy use across Nigeria, as families adjust cooking patterns and budgets to cope with increasing costs of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas.
Across major cities, LPG prices have increased sharply from between N1,000 and N1,300 per kilogram earlier in the year to between N2,000 and N2,500 per kilogram.
This has placed additional pressure on household finances already affected by inflation, food prices and transport costs.
A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday showed that many households are revising how and when they cook, with some reducing consumption or switching to alternative fuels.
Mrs Adejoke Saliu, a trader at Adaranijo Market in Bariga, said the rising cost of refilling cooking gas has forced her to adjust her purchasing habits.
“Last year, refilling my 12.5kg cylinder cost around N15,000. Today, I spend more than N25,000 depending on where I buy it,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs Bose Adeyemi, a resident of Ikorodu, said her family now cooks in larger quantities to reduce gas usage.
“We now cook larger meals at once to conserve gas and avoid frequent refilling,” she said.
The impact is further reflected in household spending patterns.
At N2,000 per kilogram, a 12.5kg cylinder costs about N25,000, while at N2,500 per kilogram, it rises to about N31,250.
For many low-income households, cooking gas now accounts for a significant share of monthly expenses.
Mr Segun Adebayo, a resident of Surulere, said some families are increasingly buying smaller quantities to manage costs.
“Many people now buy gas in two or three kilograms just to manage their monthly budgets,” he said.
Industry operators attribute the price increase to supply constraints, foreign exchange fluctuations, logistics costs, storage limitations and rising demand.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Mr Edu Inyang, said marketers are facing higher depot prices, which are passed on to consumers.
He noted that retail prices in some areas now range between N2,000 and N2,500 per kilogram.
Similarly, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association of Nigeria (LPGAR) said global market dynamics continue to influence local prices.
Its Chairman, Mr Ayobami Olarinoye, said LPG pricing is affected by international supply conditions and cannot be insulated from global developments.
He called for increased investment in LPG infrastructure, including storage and distribution facilities, to support rising demand.
Retail operators also report rising operational costs.
Mr Austin Simon, a gas retailer in Ikeja, said transportation and depot charges have increased significantly.
“Transportation, haulage, depot charges and operational expenses have all increased,” he said.
Energy experts warn that sustained increases in LPG prices could influence household energy choices, with some families potentially turning to alternative fuels.
Dr Tunde Akinola, an energy economist, said affordability remains a key factor in cooking energy decisions.
“When cooking gas becomes expensive, households naturally look for alternatives such as charcoal and firewood,” he said.
He advised improved supply efficiency and distribution systems to stabilise prices and ensure access to cleaner energy.
The impact is also being felt by small businesses, including restaurants and food vendors.
Mrs Yetunde Hassan, who runs a restaurant in Somolu, said rising gas costs have increased her operating expenses.
“We cannot continue absorbing these costs,” she said.
Stakeholders continue to call for expanded local production, improved storage capacity and enhanced distribution networks to support the LPG value chain.
As prices remain elevated, many households are adapting their cooking habits and budgeting strategies to cope with the changing energy landscape. (NAN)
F.O
Tags: cooking pattern LPG