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High price of cooking gas taking toll on us, several South-West residents lament

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3 years ago

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Cooking gas

High price of cooking gas taking toll on us, several South-West residents lament

SEVERAL residents of some states in the South-West zone of the country are lamenting the astronomical increase in the price of cooking gas, saying it is severely affecting them.

The residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that unless government intervened urgently, the situation may force them to discard using gas to cook.

They said they may have no other choice than a return to using charcoal, firewood and sawdust, among other archaic means of cooking.

NAN reports that 12.5 kilogramme (kg) of gas now sells for between N10,000 and N10,625 as against the N8,700 it was being sold before in some parts of the zone.

A 6 kg equivalent goes for between N4,800 and N5,100 instead of N4,176.

The residents, who expressed shock with the cooking gas situation, said that they never prepared for such an astronomical increase.

They lamented that this has come particularly with the increase in the price of petrol, with its attendant negative effects.

The residents appealed to government to, as a matter of urgency, step up measures to address the situation in order to reduce the sufferings of Nigerians.

A housewife, Mrs Eunice Alabi, a resident of Ayegun-Fasade in Egbeda Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State, said the situation is not economically wise for her.

“A low income-earner like me cannot afford to buy a kilogramme of cooking gas at a cost of N850. That is the situation we are in now,” she said.

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Alabi said she had already returned to the use of a sawdust stove at little or no cost to her, aside getting sawdust from a nearby sawmill.

Mr Michael Tubosun, a commercial motorcycle operator at Iwo-Road in Ibadan North-East LGA, contended that using gas to cook now had become the exclusive right of the rich.

He said he had bought a charcoal pot for his wife to cook.

Also speaking with NAN, a roadside beans and yam vendor at Oluwo junction in Egbeda LGA, Mrs Jelilat Yusuf, said she had embraced the use of firewood for cooking.

“I thought I was becoming modern by using gas, but now I can not afford gas again,” she said.

According to Yusuf, firewood is cheaper and makes her to make more profit than using gas.

Although she expressed concern about the smoke from firewood, which, she said might not be good for her health, Yusuf however said she had no choice.

“Since gas has gone out of my reach, I have no choice.”

She implored government to intensify efforts toward bringing down the price of cooking gas and foodstuffs.

An environmentalist, Mr Bola Ogunrinde, however, said using the alternatives to gas could be dangerous to health.

“Dioxin, one of the substances released when plastic is used and inhaled, can instantly cause coughing, shortness of breath and dizziness,” he stated.

A gas retailer, Mr Zacheaus Akinlabi, also said he had witnessed a marked reduction in the number of customers patronising him due to the sudden increase in gas price.

“Since the hike in price of gas, some of my customers have stopped patronising me, while the few that come around only buy the fewN kilogrames they can afford,” Akinlabi said.

A food vendor, Mrs Funmi Durodola, said that she had shifted from using gas to charcoal.

Although Durodola said that a bag of charcoal had also increased from N3,500 to between N4,700 and N5000, nevertheless she said it was still more economical than gas.

Mrs Tolu Adejo, a mother of three, said: “When gas was between

N700 and N750 per kg, my husband usually refilled for us, while we support our cooking with firewood, especially when we wanted to cook beans.

“To make matters worse, kerosene is also beyond our reach and so we now use firewood, alongside plastic and nylon to do our cooking, because we just have to survive,” Adejo said.

The situation is the same in Ilorin in Kwara, as most residents have resorted to use of charcoal and firewood due to the hike in the price of gas.

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Mrs Munirat Bello, a teacher at a private school in Ilorin, said she had embraced the use of charcoal to complement the little gas she could afford.

A housewife, who also plaits hair for a living, who simply identified herself as Mama Bashira, also said that the situation had gone bad for her.

She said she had to resort to the use of charcoal.

“A bag of charcoal sells for as low as N1,500 if a person can get it straight from the farm and if well-managed, it can last for a month or even more,” Mama Bashira said.

Similarly, Hajia Lateefah Yusuf, a business woman, expressed surprise with the sudden increase in gas price, in spite of what she called the rhetoric of abundance of gas in the country.

A civil servant with Kwara Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Abosede Buraimoh, described the situation as very worrisome and unbearable, calling for urgent intervention by government.

An artisan, Mrs Titilayo Oshagbemi, said she had stopped patronising gas stations due to the hike in the price of the product.

“I prefer to buy a bag of charcoal at the rate of between N3,000 to

N3,300, than to buy 5 kg gas at the rate of N4,750 or N5,400, while the charcoal will last longer than gas,” she said.

For Alhaja Tawal Aliyu, an artisan, the price of gas has become ‘scary’.

“How can I buy 1 kg of gas for N850 with the current economic hardship? No. I will rather get firewood to cook,” Aliyu lamented.

A resident of Ilorin, Mrs Afusat Jimoh, described the situation as frustrating, saying most people had dumped their gas cylinders and picked charcoal stoves.

“I’ve told my children to go and keep our cylinder somewhere in the

store. I am conveniently using my charcoal stove now. It saves me more money,” she said.

Mrs Toyin Aina, who said that many people had resorted to the use of kerosene stoves and charcoal stoves, called on the Federal Government to “act fast.

“This is because things are now very hard and tough in Nigeria.”

One of the attendants at a gas station, Mr Mubarak Bello, said patronage had dropped since the gas price had increased.

The Founder of Green Environment Movement, an environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr James Akinyemi, however said that using nylons and plastic to aid burning of charcoal could result in cancer.

According to him, burning plastics releases toxic chemicals into the air which, when inhaled, can cause cancer.

”Poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxins are among the most toxic chemicals commonly released into the air when burning plastics.

”Chronic exposure to these chemicals can interfere with hormone functions and cause cancer.

“So, it is better to avoid burning of plastics and nylons as much as possible,” he said.

Akinyemi noted that the economy was not friendly with the recent increase in price of gas.

He however cautioned people against using items that could have negative effect on their health.

NAN checks in Ogun also indicate that 12.5 kg of gas now sells for between N11,200 and N12,800 in some gas stations across the state.

NAN also reports that the situation has led to an increase in prices of foodstuffs as well as reduction in the quantity served for certain

prices at various restaurants and food joints.

Mrs Florence Akpan, a food vendor at Adeoyo area of Ijebu-Ode, said that sales had dropped significantly due to increase in gas price.

“Customers now complain about the reduction in the quantity of food being sold to them.

“I now cook small quantity of food because sales have really gone down and there is nothing I can do because I have to cover my cost and add small profit margin too.

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“Times are really hard for both buyers and sellers now. It is a serious matter,” she said.

Another food vendor at Oke-Ilewo area of Abeokuta, Mrs Dorcas Sobowale, told NAN that for her to continue in business, she had resorted to using charcoal.

“While a bag of charcoal costs N5,000, 12.5 kg of gas now sells for N12,800.

“Although cooking with gas is more convenient and faster, I have to make the necessary sacrifice and adjust to using charcoal and firewood to survive in business.”

A gas retailer, Kabiru Adegoke, said the price of cooking gas was not stable, “as it goes up and down in a matter of days.

“Patronage has really been affected due to the high cost of gas per kg, which is now N840 from the N700 we sold it two weeks before now.

“Hardly do we now see people filling up their 12.5 kg cylinder again.

Rather, they fill in small quantities like 2kg and 3kg,” Adegoke said.

Mrs Fauziyah Adebiyi, another resident of Abeokuta, lamented that life had been really difficult since the sudden increase in the price of gas.

She said what would have been the next and easy alternative was kerosene stove, “but sadly enough, kerosene itself is a no-go area now.

“The last time I needed half a bottle just to mix an insecticide, I

was told it was N400, meaning that a bottle is N800. How does one buy that easily with the hardship in the land?” Adebiyi queried.

For Mr John Akpan, a landlord in Mowe area of Obafemi-Owode LGA of Ogun, he has had to unfortunately ban the use of charcoal in his house.

Akpan said his tenants had resorted to the use of charcoal in

the wake of gas price increase.

He said the kitchen and other areas within his two-storey building had become messy, with the walls stained with coal.

“I know times are hard, but if the situation continues unchecked, I

will have to spend money on painting the house from time to time,” Akpan said.

In her reaction, another gas user, Mrs Taiwo Akande, said she had been switching between electric stove and gas cooker for her cooking.

“We are still using the old metering system in my compound. So, I use electric burner for most of my cooking whenever there is power.

“I may have to resort to charcoal when our prepaid meter is installed and the situation persists,” she said.

Mr Johnson Adigun, an urban and regional planner, listed alternative means of cooking to include: kerosene, charcoal, saw dust and firewood, all of which he, however, said had “far-reaching” consequences.

According to him, firewood often pollutes the environment and worsens the climate change crisis, aside the health implications like lung cancer which can lead to premature death.

To Mr Kayode Ahmed, an environmentalist, one of the possible consequences of using firewood and charcoal for cooking is deforestation.

Ahmed said such situation could arise when trees were not planted to replace those being cut for firewood.

Another environmentalist, Mr Ola Oresanya, maintained that the use of bio-gas and solar stove as alternative sources of cooking might not be detrimental to the environment.

“Bio-gas is the most environmental-friendly, and also a renewable source of energy.

“Using solar to cook is also reasonable and not having any adverse effect on the environment,” he said.

High price of cooking gas taking toll on us, several South-West residents lament

(NAN)

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Just in: Supreme Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Emefiele’s Assets, Ends Legal Battle

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2 days ago

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July 17, 2026

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Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele

Just in: Supreme Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Emefiele’s Assets, Ends Legal Battle

The Supreme Court has brought an end to the legal battle over the assets linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, affirming their final forfeiture to the Federal Government.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, the apex court overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, which had earlier nullified the forfeiture order and directed that the case be retried.

The Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal erred in setting aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos, thereby restoring the lower court’s order for the final forfeiture of the properties.

The ruling effectively ends Emefiele’s challenge against the forfeiture order and marks another significant legal victory for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its ongoing prosecution of high-profile corruption and financial crime cases.

The properties were among assets the EFCC alleged were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities during Emefiele’s tenure as governor of the apex bank.

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Following its investigation, the anti-graft agency had approached the Federal High Court for their permanent forfeiture, a request the court granted.

However, Emefiele challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal, which set aside the forfeiture order and directed that the matter be heard afresh. Dissatisfied with that judgment, the EFCC appealed to the Supreme Court.

With Friday’s verdict, the apex court has reinstated the Federal High Court’s decision, bringing the protracted dispute over the ownership of the properties to a close.

Emefiele, who served as CBN Governor from 2014 until his suspension by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, has since been facing multiple criminal charges bordering on alleged abuse of office, procurement fraud and financial misconduct.

He has consistently denied all the allegations against him. The Supreme Court’s latest decision is one of several legal developments arising from the investigations into his stewardship at the nation’s apex bank.

 

Just in: Supreme Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Emefiele’s Assets, Ends Legal Battle

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US House approves bill proposing 50% cut in aid to Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution

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July 17, 2026

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US House approves bill proposing 50% cut in aid to Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution

US House approves bill proposing 50% cut in aid to Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution

The United States House of Representatives has approved a key appropriations bill that proposes withholding 50% of certain U.S. assistance to Nigeria until the Nigerian government demonstrates measurable progress in protecting Christian communities from religiously motivated violence.

The provision is contained in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Bill, which was passed by the House on Wednesday. The legislation allocates $47.32 billion in discretionary funding for diplomacy, national security and related programmes, representing a reduction of about $2.69 billion, or six per cent, from the FY2026 enacted level.

However, the proposal has not yet become U.S. law. It must still pass the remaining stages of the legislative process, including consideration by the Senate and presidential approval, before the aid restrictions can take effect.

Under the House-approved bill, 50% of eligible U.S. assistance to Nigeria would be withheld until the U.S. Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken measurable steps to protect Christians affected by religiously motivated attacks and improve security in vulnerable communities.

The accompanying House Appropriations Committee report expressed concern over persistent violence in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt, and referenced the Palm Sunday massacre as one of the incidents highlighting the need for stronger government action against perpetrators of violence.

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The committee also urged Nigerian authorities to ensure accountability for those responsible for attacks on civilians and improve measures to safeguard communities affected by insecurity.

The provision was championed by Congressman Riley M. Moore, who argued that the measure is intended to pressure the Nigerian government to strengthen protection for Christian communities and improve its response to religious violence.

According to Moore, the legislation sends a clear message that the United States expects greater accountability while continuing to support victims of religious persecution around the world.

Beyond the proposed aid restrictions, the bill directs that funding under the Security Sector Programme/National Security Account be used to support efforts aimed at tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, including attacks attributed in the committee report to Fulani militias.

The legislation also instructs the U.S. State Department to assess whether the Nigerian government is facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral communities. The findings will form part of the certification process required before the withheld assistance can be released.

In addition, the State Department would be required to submit reports to Congress within 45 to 60 days detailing efforts to address violence against Christian communities, improve accountability for violations of religious freedom, and evaluate progress made by Nigerian authorities.

To reinforce these objectives, lawmakers proposed an additional $2 million under the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account to support atrocity prevention initiatives, with part of the funding earmarked for programmes addressing violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

The committee also encouraged stronger partnerships with Nigerian security agencies to improve professionalism, operational capacity and accountability in law enforcement as part of broader efforts to reduce insecurity.

Another provision directs the Secretary of State to assess the impact of Nigeria’s blasphemy laws in the annual International Religious Freedom Report, reflecting growing congressional interest in issues relating to religious liberty.

The broader appropriations package also includes provisions affecting global health funding, migration policy, foreign military financing and international broadcasting, in line with the United States’ evolving foreign policy priorities.

Supporters of the proposal argue that conditioning foreign assistance on measurable improvements in security and human rights will encourage stronger government action against violence.

However, analysts note that the proposal is likely to generate diplomatic discussions between Nigeria and the United States, with debates expected over its potential impact on humanitarian programmes, security cooperation and bilateral relations.

If eventually enacted, the measure could reshape aspects of U.S.-Nigeria relations, particularly in the areas of security assistance, religious freedom, human rights and counterterrorism cooperation.

US House approves bill proposing 50% cut in aid to Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution

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Senate passes Bill proposing N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking in commercial buses

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2 days ago

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July 17, 2026

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Christian Council opposes ₦50,000 fine for bus preaching, seeks Tinubu's intervention

Senate passes Bill proposing N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking in commercial buses

The Nigerian Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing significantly tougher penalties for traffic offences, including a N50,000 fine for individuals who preach, hawk or engage in trading inside commercial buses.

The landmark legislation, approved during plenary on Thursday, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen road safety in Nigeria, improve compliance with traffic regulations and reduce the rising number of road crashes across the country.

However, the bill has not yet become law. It will only take legal effect after receiving presidential assent from President Bola Tinubu.

One of the most notable provisions of the proposed amendment is the introduction of a N50,000 fine for anyone found preaching, hawking or carrying out commercial activities inside commercial vehicles.

Lawmakers explained that such activities often distract drivers, obstruct passengers and increase the likelihood of road accidents, particularly in densely populated urban areas where commercial buses serve thousands of commuters daily.

The bill also introduces stricter sanctions for motorists who refuse to cooperate with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials during roadside enforcement exercises.

Under the proposed law, any driver who declines to undergo a breathalyser test when reasonably suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs would face a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.

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The Senate further approved a substantial increase in penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances. If the bill receives presidential assent, offenders would be liable to a N100,000 fine, replacing the current N5,000 penalty, in addition to a possible two-year prison sentence or both.

The amendment also raises the punishment for violating traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings and other traffic control devices to N100,000, reflecting the government’s determination to improve discipline on Nigerian roads.

Motorists caught exceeding speed limits would equally face a N100,000 fine, replacing the existing N5,000 sanction.

Similarly, reckless driving would attract a N100,000 fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, depending on the severity of the offence.

According to the revised schedule attached to the legislation, the Senate reviewed 52 traffic offences, increasing penalties across most categories to reflect present-day economic realities and strengthen deterrence against dangerous road behaviour.

The amendment seeks to modernise the FRSC Act by expanding the enforcement powers of the corps, strengthening compliance with traffic regulations and improving public safety through stricter enforcement measures.

Road safety experts have repeatedly argued that many penalties under the existing law had become obsolete due to inflation and no longer served as effective deterrents against traffic violations.

Data from the Federal Road Safety Corps consistently identifies speeding, dangerous driving, drunk driving, driver distraction, overloading and disregard for traffic signs among the leading causes of road crashes in Nigeria, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries every year.

Supporters of the amendment believe the proposed stiffer penalties will encourage greater compliance with traffic laws and ultimately reduce road accidents. However, some stakeholders have called for sustained public awareness campaigns, improved road infrastructure and fair enforcement to ensure the new penalties achieve their intended objectives without imposing undue hardship on road users.

The bill will now be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent. If signed into law, it will introduce one of the most comprehensive overhauls of Nigeria’s traffic regulations in recent years, significantly increasing penalties for dozens of traffic-related offences while reinforcing the FRSC’s mandate to promote safer roads nationwide.

Senate passes Bill proposing N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking in commercial buses

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