Amanze Chinonye
Households across Lagos are facing a sudden and severe squeeze on domestic energy as cooking gas grows scarce and increasingly expensive.
What sold for ₦1,000–₦1,030 per kilogram just weeks ago now costs between ₦1,400 and ₦1,700 in different parts of the city, with some vendors charging as high as ₦2,000. The steep rise has forced families to ration meals or switch to cheaper alternatives such as charcoal.
Residents and small retailers report long queues at refilling stations, erratic supplies, and widely fluctuating prices across neighborhoods. “Oftentimes there’s no gas at all. When you find it, the price is double. The long queues are a disaster. How are we supposed to cope?” Omoyeme, a Lagos resident, told Prime Business Africa.
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The sudden spike has fueled speculation over its cause. Some residents suspect hoarding by fuel stations, while others point to possible supply disruptions at the Dangote Refinery or broader distribution challenges.
The shortage is already pushing many low-income families back to dirtier fuels such as firewood, raising health and safety concerns. Small food vendors, who depend on affordable gas for daily operations, say the situation is crippling their businesses and threatening to drive up the cost of cooked food.
For others, even alternatives are out of reach. “Kerosene is not even on the list of options to try as alternative because the price is even worse. I can’t afford it,” Adebimpe, a mother of two in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, said.
Beyond the inconvenience of longer queues and higher bills, the scarcity highlights Nigeria’s fragile energy supply chain and overdependence on a few major producers. Without swift intervention, the crisis could undermine public confidence in ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector, further erode household purchasing power, and heighten inflationary pressure on food and basic services.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
