As the government struggles to address the problem, many households are finding their own ways to cope, reports TOYE FALEYE.
The Price Surge
Cooking gas prices in Nigeria have shot up, with a 12.5kg cylinder now costing between ₦16,000 and ₦18,750. For many families, buying gas has become a matter of survival, not just convenience.
Aisha Bello, a mother of three in Ibadan, observes, “I used to refill my cylinder twice a month. Now, I can only afford it once, and the rest of the time we use charcoal, affecting my children’s health.”
Experts point to both global and local reasons for the crisis. “The suspension of the naira-for-crude deal exposed Nigeria’s vulnerability,” explains an energy economist who adds that, “Transactions reverted to dollars, pushing depot costs higher. Even though Nigeria achieved 100% local supply in April 2026, poor storage and distribution systems mean availability remains patchy.”
Government Failures and Tinubu’s Response
So far, the Nigerian government has made more promises than delivered results. Programs like the Decade of Gas and the National Gas Expansion Programme were supposed to make LPG affordable and easy to get, but depot costs are still high, infrastructure is weak, and subsidies are either missing or not well targeted.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has admitted there is a crisis and announced steps to address it. The government has told the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to boost domestic LPG production and focus on local supply.
Tinubu has also pointed to the Dangote Refinery and NLNG allocations as key to stabilising the market. Critics argue that these actions have been too slow and not enough. “We have heard similar promises before,” says Christian Nwosu. “Without real implementation and subsidies, these are just more unfulfilled commitments.”
The Human Cost
Many families are now using less gas or giving it up completely, going back to firewood and charcoal. This change has serious effects, including more respiratory illnesses from smoke, more deforestation, and a setback for clean cooking efforts.
Businesses, especially small food vendors, are struggling with higher costs, which are making food prices go up.
Chinedu Okeke, a food vendor in Lagos, explains, “My gas bill has doubled. I either raise prices and risk losing customers or reduce portions. Either way, it is difficult to continue.”
What Other Countries Are Doing
In the United States, clean cooking is seen as part of the energy system, and subsidies help protect consumers from price shocks.
In India, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana gives low-income families subsidised LPG connections, so they do not have to rely as much on firewood or charcoal.
In Europe, LPG is included in broader renewable energy plans. Strong distribution networks and price controls help keep the market stable.
Closer to home, some African countries have taken stronger action. In South Africa, the government and private companies have built more LPG storage and distribution centers, and targeted subsidies support low-income families.
In Ghana, the Cylinder Recirculation model guarantees consumers don’t bear the full cost of cylinder ownership, reducing barriers to adoption.
Kenya has introduced micro-financing for LPG equipment, so families can pay over time. These examples show that African countries, even with similar problems, are finding ways to manage rising gas prices.
Tips for Households
With reforms taking time, many households are coming up with their own ways to cope. For example, using pressure cookers can help save gas.
Sharing larger gas cylinders among several families can help lower costs. Trying other options like biogas digesters, solar cookers, or efficient charcoal stoves can also help for now, though they may cost more at first.
Safety is still the most important thing. “Consumers should buy cylinders and refills only from certified suppliers,” warns Mrs Funke Adeyemi, a consumer rights advocate. “The temptation to cut corners is high, but substandard equipment can cause deadly accidents.”
Strong Infrastructure, Robust Subsidies
Nigeria’s cooking gas crisis is caused by rising prices and the government’s failure to keep its clean energy promises, leaving people to adjust with little help.
President Tinubu’s government has begun expanding and stabilising the market, but unless these steps are implemented and include subsidies, Nigerians will continue to bear the brunt of inaction.
Consumers, experts, and officials all agree on one thing: Nigerians are struggling because of poverty. Examples from other countries, such as South Africa’s subsidies and Ghana’s cylinder recirculation model, show that strong infrastructure, robust subsidies, and effective enforcement can make clean cooking affordable and widely available.
