Economic Crisis: Civil Society Organizations Condemn 44% Surge in Cooking Gas Price

Civil society organizations in Nigeria have issued a strong warning to the Federal Government over the alarming increase in the price of cooking gas, which has surged by over 44% in the last year. They cautioned that the continuous hike is a “bad signal” for the nation’s economy and could force millions of households to abandon cleaner energy in favor of dangerous and environmentally damaging alternatives like firewood and charcoal.

According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas skyrocketed from ₦14,261.57 in July 2024 to a staggering ₦20,609.48 in July 2025. This sharp increase has put immense pressure on household budgets already strained by high inflation.

In a statement, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, lamented the situation, pointing out that the 44.51% increase is significantly higher than the national inflation rate. “The analysis showing that there is a 44 per cent increase in a space of one year indicates that the price of gas is way above the inflation rate,” Mamedu said. “Clearly, it is a bad signal.”

He stressed that the ripple effect of the price hike would be widespread, eroding the disposable income of families and pushing more people into poverty. Mamedu’s greatest concern, however, was the potential health and environmental consequences. “People will find alternatives, and the next alternative would be firewood,” he warned. “That will affect the environment, accelerate climate change, and endanger the health of users who inhale smoke.”

Similarly, the Programme Officer of the Governance and Rights Programme at Christian Aid Nigeria, Munachi Ugochukwu, urged the government to be more proactive in its market interventions. “The government needs to be more realistic and comprehensive in its plans for the gas sector. Stakeholders must be brought to the table, regulators, investors, and operators, to strike a balance,” Ugochukwu said.

Both organizations emphasized that the price surge is a direct threat to the government’s own policy of promoting clean energy and reducing gas flaring. They called for a high-level dialogue to address bottlenecks, ease transportation costs, and explore a long-term strategy to make cooking gas a truly affordable and accessible energy source for all Nigerians.