The rising cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), otherwise known as cooking gas, is forcing many households across Nigeria to abandon what was hitherto considered the most convenient source of cooking energy, Daily Trust can report.
Many households now turn to charcoal, an alternative that is increasingly becoming expensive as demand grows.
Across several states, including Kaduna, Kano, Ondo, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT, among others, residents say they are struggling to cope with the soaring cost of both cooking gas and charcoal.
Consumers and residents interviewed by our correspondents said they are left with limited options for meeting their daily cooking needs.
A market survey in Ilorin, Kwara State, showed that the price of cooking gas has continued to rise amid reports of scarcity, while the cost of charcoal has also increased, putting additional pressure on households.
At Alkad Gas, a kilogramme of cooking gas sold for N1,700, while a 12.5kg cylinder refill cost N21,250.
Similarly, at AP Gas Plant, a kilogramme sold for N1,700 on Monday, up from N1,600 a day earlier.
A retailer, Mr Abdul Alhaji, attributed the increase to supply challenges and the impact of tensions in the Middle East on the market.
“We started around N920 before the Iran-US/Israel tension and since then, it has been increasing almost daily to the present N1,700 per kilogramme. The challenge is that nobody knows what the price will be tomorrow. There has also been a scarcity for about two weeks now, with some stations having product while others do not,” he said.
In Kaduna State, residents and charcoal sellers said the price of the porous carbon has increased significantly in recent weeks due to the growing demand and challenges associated with supply.
A charcoal trader in Sabon Gari, Muhammad Bala, explained that more households now rely on charcoal because cooking gas has become increasingly expensive.
According to him, a sack of charcoal that was previously sold for between N6,500 and N7,000 now costs around N8,000.
The demand for charcoal has increased because many people can no longer afford to refill their gas cylinders regularly. As more people buy charcoal, the price has naturally gone up,” he said.
Bala noted that supply challenges have also contributed to the increase. He explained that charcoal producers are finding it more difficult to access forest areas due to insecurity.
“People who produce charcoal used to go deep into the forests to cut trees and process charcoal. Now, because of bandit attacks, many are afraid to enter those areas. They stay close to the edges of the forests, which limits production,” he explained.
He further stated that the rainy season is expected to worsen the situation. According to him, the thick vegetation that develops during the season makes forest activities more dangerous.
“When the grasses become tall, producers cannot easily see what is happening around them. They fear attacks and therefore avoid entering the forests. This could further reduce supply and push prices higher,” he added.
Bala warned that if the current trend continues, the price of a sack of charcoal could approach N10,000 in the coming months.
For many households, the increase in charcoal prices is creating additional financial pressure.
A resident of Malali East, Mrs. Halima Abdullahi, said she recently purchased a quarter bag of charcoal for N1,800, compared to N1,500 for the same quantity a few days earlier. She expressed concern that the price may soon exceed N2,000.
“Everything is becoming expensive. We switched to charcoal because gas became difficult to afford, but now the price of charcoal is also increasing. Nigerians are going through hard times. People are struggling every day. We can only continue to pray that things improve,” she added.
A similar trend is playing out in Ondo State, where traders reported increased patronage from residents seeking alternatives to cooking gas.
Mrs. Madeyese, a charcoal seller, said a bag of charcoal currently sells for about N8,500. For customers unable to afford a full bag, charcoal is also sold in smaller nylon packs costing about N300.
She disclosed that charcoal prices had started rising about three months ago.
“Before, we sold a bag for around N5,000. But about three months ago, the price rose to N8,000 even before gas prices increased significantly,” she said.
Despite the cost, she noted that demand remains high because many residents still consider charcoal more affordable than cooking gas.
Users endure tedious cooking
While charcoal may provide some financial relief, users say it comes with several disadvantages.
An Akure resident, Kayode Ibijobi, said cooking with charcoal can be stressful and time-consuming.
You have to keep blowing air into the charcoal to make it burn properly. Sometimes you need nylon or paper to help start the fire quickly. You cannot be in a hurry when using charcoal. The process takes time. Sometimes I end up running late for work because I spend too much time trying to get the fire ready,” he explained.
Ibijobi noted that he was able to cope when a container of charcoal sold for around 1,400. “Now that the same quantity costs around 2,000, it is becoming harder to afford,” he lamented.
Another charcoal user, Mrs. Foluke Akindele, explained that charcoal cooking requires careful preparation and patience.
You have to sit close to it and keep monitoring the fire. Everything you need for cooking must be arranged nearby because the process requires attention,” she noted.
Cc: Daily Trust