Rising cooking fuel costs push Nigerians toward firewood and charcoal

Millions of Nigerians may be forced to abandon cooking gas and kerosene in favour of firewood and charcoal as soaring household energy costs deepen the country’s cost-of-living crisis.

Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics and market surveys indicate that the price of kerosene has risen sharply across several states, with some consumers now paying close to ₦4,000 per litre (approximately US$2.52) for the product.

The highest kerosene prices have been reported in states including Sokoto, Kebbi and Lagos, placing additional financial strain on low-income households already struggling with rising food and transportation expenses.

The cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has also continued its upward trend.

Depending on location and supply conditions, many consumers are now paying between ₦1,500 (approximately US$0.95) and ₦1,700 (approximately US$1.07) per kilogram to refill gas cylinders.

As fuel costs climb, many families are reassessing how they prepare daily meals, with some increasingly turning to cheaper traditional fuels despite the associated health and environmental concerns.

Industry experts and petroleum marketers attribute the price increases to a combination of economic challenges affecting Nigeria’s downstream energy sector.

Among the key factors are the continued weakness of the naira against the US dollar, rising transportation expenses, higher depot prices, inflation and persistent supply chain disruptions.

Although Nigeria remains one of Africa’s leading crude oil producers, the country still depends heavily on imported petroleum products and infrastructure that is vulnerable to foreign exchange fluctuations and international market conditions.

The removal of fuel subsidies, coupled with increasing logistics and operational costs, has further added to pricing pressures across the energy supply chain.

Cooking gas marketers have previously warned that prices could rise even further if foreign exchange challenges and supply constraints remain unresolved.

The continued increase in household fuel costs is expected to worsen economic pressures on millions of Nigerians already grappling with high food prices and declining purchasing power.

For many families, especially those on lower incomes, cooking gas and kerosene are increasingly becoming unaffordable.

As a result, demand for alternative fuels such as charcoal and firewood is growing in both rural communities and low-income urban areas, where traders report an increase in customers seeking cheaper cooking options.

However, health professionals caution that prolonged exposure to smoke from firewood and charcoal can contribute to respiratory diseases and other health complications, particularly among women and children who spend significant time cooking.

Environmental groups have also warned that increased reliance on firewood could accelerate deforestation and environmental degradation in many parts of the country.

Despite those concerns, many Nigerians say affordability and survival are taking precedence as households search for ways to cope with the country’s ongoing economic challenges.