This coincides with a surge in charcoal prices due to heightened demand, leading some individuals to switch to firewood.
In Abuja, Kano, Lagos, and Jos, observations indicate that citizens are paying around N18,000 to fill a 12.5-kilogram cooking gas cylinder.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALGAM) predicted last year that a 12.5kg cylinder would cost N18,000 due to frequent increases.
Despite the committee formed by the Minister of State Petroleum Resources to address rising prices, the cost of cooking gas has continued to climb, with one kilogram selling for N1,400 in some areas, translating to N17,500 for a 12.5 kg cylinder.
In response to inquiries about government action to reduce prices, the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Louis Ibah, has not responded to calls or messages.
The minister listed measures to reduce cooking gas prices at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on February 6, including prioritizing LPG domestication, boosting gas production, and completing gas infrastructure projects.
A survey in Lagos shows cooking gas priced between N1,150 and N1,350 per kg. In Ilorin, a 12.5kg cylinder rose from N13,000 to N16,875. In Kano, prices range from N1,350 to N1,450 per kg, prompting some residents to switch to charcoal due to the high cost.
In Abuja, a kilogram of gas is priced between N1,300 and N1,350, with some retailers attributing the increase to gas scarcity.
Reports from Jos indicate a rise in firewood and charcoal prices, with sellers facing low patronage due to economic constraints.
