“Rising Cooking Gas Prices in Nigeria: Concerns Mount Over Accessibility and Affordability”

The rising price of cooking gas in Nigeria is causing concerns as the cost of a kilogram of cooking gas has increased to between N1,000 and N1,200 in some parts of the country. The scarcity of the product is one of the contributing factors to the price increase, and supply disruptions are being blamed for this scarcity. In Lagos, 12.5 kilograms of cooking gas is being sold for N12,000 at certain retail stations, and the price of a kilogram has reached N1,150 to N1,200 in some areas. Many retail stations have also run out of stock, causing concerns among consumers. There are warnings that the price of a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas might soon reach N18,000 if the government does not intervene. Factors contributing to the price increase include the high cost of transportation due to expensive diesel, a weak naira, and limited bulk storage. An oil and gas expert has expressed concerns that the rising gas prices might lead many Nigerians to resort to using firewood for cooking, which would have negative environmental implications. While the government acknowledges the challenges, an official stated that the cooking gas sector is deregulated, limiting government intervention. However, efforts are being made to work with the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (NLNG) to increase domestic supply and potentially lower prices.