Cooking gas prices in Nigeria have surged by 40 percent, climbing to one thousand four hundred naira ($0.90) per kilogram, as the Middle East crisis disrupts global energy supplies.
Traders and households say the sharp increase has strained budgets, with many families forced to cut consumption or switch to alternative fuels. The rise follows weeks of instability in the Gulf, where tensions have rattled oil and gas markets worldwide.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, relies heavily on imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to meet domestic demand. Analysts warn that the country’s dependence on foreign supply leaves it vulnerable to price shocks triggered by geopolitical conflicts.
Local distributors report that the surge has been swift, with prices rising from about one thousand naira per kilogram in February. “We are struggling to keep up with demand because customers are buying less,” said one Lagos retailer.
Economists caution that the increase could worsen inflation, already at a record high, and deepen hardship for low‑income households. Cooking gas is a staple for millions of Nigerian families, and higher costs may push more people toward firewood or charcoal, raising environmental concerns.
The government has yet to announce measures to cushion consumers, though officials have previously pledged to expand domestic LPG production. Energy experts say investment in local refining and storage is critical to reducing reliance on imports and shielding the economy from external shocks.
The price surge reflects how global crises reverberate far beyond the Middle East, affecting everyday life in countries like Nigeria where energy affordability is central to household survival.
