High Gas Prices Force Urban Residents To Embrace Firewood, Charcoal Alternatives
Due to rising cooking gas prices, many Nigerians living in urban areas are now turning to traditional and more affordable cooking fuels, such as charcoal and firewood. These fuels were once commonly used by rural populations but had been largely replaced by cooking gas due to its convenience. However, the high cost of cooking gas has led people to return to these simpler alternatives.
A portion of charcoal is currently priced between N500 and N1,000, while a bundle of firewood costs about N700. In comparison, a 3kg cylinder of cooking gas now costs around N4000. To save further costs, some urban residents are sourcing firewood from local building sites or nearby bushes, a practice traditionally associated with rural areas.
Mr. Yekini Abdullahi, a vulcanizer, shared that he and his wife now cook with firewood, having found it to be a more affordable option amidst the economic hardship. “We source the firewood from nearby construction sites or from bushes around our neighborhood. It’s been a cost-effective solution,” he said.
Other residents, such as Mrs. Victoria Shodimu, a hairdresser, have also resorted to using firewood, gathering it from nearby bushes and construction sites. Mrs. Shodimu explained that while charcoal is still relatively cheaper than gas, it is not as affordable as firewood. She emphasized that many in the city, especially when cooking large quantities like beans, have adopted this method to manage expenses.
Similarly, Mrs. Oluchi Udechukwu finds firewood from construction sites and uses coal pots for cooking to avoid damaging her cement floor with charcoal. “It saves me a lot compared to using cooking gas or kerosene,” she said.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), about 39% of Nigerian households gather fuelwood, primarily from branches, stems, and trees, for domestic and other purposes. This shift back to traditional fuels highlights the growing economic pressures many Nigerians are facing.
