The sharp rise in the price of cooking gas has forced many households and businesses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to abandon liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in favour of charcoal, firewood and other cheaper alternatives.
Residents and gas vendors across Abuja say the cost of cooking gas has surged from about ₦1,200 per kilogram earlier in the year to as high as ₦2,000 per kilogram, placing significant pressure on household budgets and business operations.
Industry operators have linked the increase to supply shortages, rising depot prices, foreign exchange challenges and higher transportation costs.
A food vendor in Gwarimpa, Mrs Mayo Akinpelu, said she stopped using cooking gas after repeated price increases made it difficult to sustain her business.
According to her, refilling a 12.5kg cylinder now costs about ₦25,000, forcing her to switch to charcoal and firewood, which she described as more affordable and easier to buy in small quantities.
She explained that although customers sometimes complain about delays associated with using traditional fuels, they remain her most practical option for reducing operational costs and maintaining profitability.
Another food vendor in Dutse, Bwari Area Council, Victory Samson, said the increase in gas prices has significantly reduced her profit margin and called on the government to intervene.
In Kubwa, business owner Grace Oluwatimilehin said she was surprised by the latest increase after previously purchasing gas at ₦1,600 per kilogram.
She said she now relies on electric hot plates and occasionally uses charcoal and firewood for cooking to reduce expenses.
Similarly, a resident, Abike Ojo, lamented that the continuous increase in cooking gas prices is putting severe strain on her family’s finances.
She noted that gas, which she previously purchased at ₦1,500 per kilogram, now sells for ₦2,000 per kilogram, warning that she may be forced to stop using it entirely if the upward trend continues.
Gas vendors also confirmed the decline in patronage resulting from the price hike.
A gas dealer in Kubwa, Bamishile Bolanle, said consumers’ purchasing power has dropped considerably, while product scarcity appears to be the major factor driving the increase.
Another vendor in Dei Dei, Alfred Orshio, recalled that gas sold for about ₦1,200 per kilogram earlier this year before rising to ₦1,400, ₦1,800 and eventually ₦2,000 per kilogram.
He noted that filling a 12kg cylinder now costs approximately ₦25,000, making it increasingly difficult for many customers to afford regular refills.
Meanwhile, charcoal and firewood sellers are recording increased patronage as consumers seek cheaper cooking alternatives.
A charcoal distributor in Kubwa, Amina Yakubu, said demand has risen significantly in recent months. According to her, a bag of charcoal purchased for ₦6,500 is now sold for about ₦8,000.
Another charcoal vendor, Saratu Ibrahim, confirmed that sales have accelerated considerably, noting that stock which previously took more than a week to sell now sells out within two days.
However, she added that the growing demand has attracted more traders into the charcoal business, increasing competition among vendors.
A firewood seller, Taninu Ibrahim, also reported a substantial rise in demand from households and food vendors abandoning cooking gas.
He disclosed that the surge in demand, combined with transportation costs, has pushed up firewood prices, with customers now receiving four pieces for ₦1,000 instead of the six pieces they previously purchased for the same amount.
As cooking gas prices continue to climb, more Abuja residents are turning to traditional cooking fuels, raising concerns over affordability, environmental impact and the broader cost-of-living challenges facing households and small businesses across the FCT.
Stakeholders have called on the government to stabilise cooking gas prices, while vendors warn that persistent supply shortages and weak consumer purchasing power could further reduce gas consumption and negatively affect business activities.