By Abdullahi Lukman
The rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, is forcing many Nigerian households to abandon cleaner cooking fuels and return to charcoal and firewood, raising fresh concerns over public health and environmental sustainability.
Across several parts of the country, cooking gas now sells for between ₦1,700 and ₦2,000 per kilogram, placing the cost of refilling a standard cylinder beyond the reach of many low-income families.
The price surge has reversed gains made in the adoption of cleaner energy sources, as households increasingly seek more affordable alternatives.
Residents in different communities say the escalating cost of cooking gas has significantly altered their cooking habits.
In Abuja, Salamatu Ardo, a resident of Gwarinpa, said her family now relies largely on charcoal because gas refills have become too expensive.
“Refilling our gas cylinder has become too expensive. We now rely mostly on charcoal because it is what we can afford,” she said.
Similarly, Felicia Odoh, a resident of Kubwa, said her household had also switched back to charcoal due to the rising cost of cooking gas.
“Everything is expensive, especially cooking gas. We switched back to charcoal because it is cheaper. The smoke affects us, but there is no other option right now,” she said.
Industry stakeholders attribute the increase in LPG prices to foreign exchange challenges, supply constraints, and pricing mechanisms linked to global energy markets.
They warn that sustained price increases could undermine efforts to expand access to clean cooking energy across the country.
Speaking with NatureNews Africa, environmental expert Joseph Ogunbiyi described the growing dependence on charcoal and firewood as a serious threat to both public health and the environment.
“The rising dependence on charcoal and firewood is not only a public health concern but also a major environmental threat,” Ogunbiyi said.
According to him, increased demand for biomass fuels is accelerating tree felling without adequate reforestation, placing additional pressure on Nigeria’s already fragile forest ecosystems.
“If this trend continues, it will worsen deforestation, land degradation and desertification, particularly in communities already vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” he added.
Health experts have also expressed concern over the growing use of charcoal and firewood, warning that prolonged exposure to cooking smoke can lead to respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, eye disorders and other serious health complications.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), household air pollution from the use of solid fuels contributes to about 95,300 deaths annually in Nigeria.
Studies further show that nearly 70 per cent of Nigerian households depend on biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal for cooking, exposing millions of people to harmful indoor air pollution.
Women and children remain the most vulnerable, as they spend more time around cooking areas and are therefore more exposed to toxic smoke and particulate matter generated by biomass fuels.
Energy economist Prof. Wumi Iledare described the trend as a major setback to Nigeria’s clean energy transition agenda.
“The inevitable consequence of these unyielding prices is a return to charcoal and firewood, with adverse health and environmental outcomes,” he said, noting that rising LPG prices risk erasing years of progress in promoting cleaner household energy use.
As more households struggle with rising energy costs, experts are urging the government to implement measures aimed at boosting domestic LPG supply, stabilising prices and ensuring that cleaner cooking fuels remain affordable and accessible to ordinary Nigerians.
They warn that without urgent intervention, the country could face worsening health challenges linked to indoor air pollution while experiencing increased pressure on already depleted forest resources.
