Residents of Kwara State are groaning under the weight of another increase in the price of cooking gas, with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) now selling for as much as N2,200 per kilogramme in some parts of the state.
The latest hike has further stretched household budgets and left many families struggling to cope amid Nigeria’s worsening cost-of-living crisis.
A survey across Ilorin and other communities in Kwara revealed that many residents have begun reducing their gas consumption, while others are considering a return to charcoal and firewood as cooking alternatives despite the health and environmental concerns associated with them.
Speaking on the development, Abdulganiyu Obanguru, a resident of the Sobi area of Ilorin, said the sudden increase reflects the harsh economic realities Nigerians are currently facing.
Want to stay updated about everything in NIGERIA?
Click the button below to join our WhatsApp group...
According to him, the last time he purchased cooking gas, it sold for about N1,150 per kilogramme, but he was shocked to discover that the price had jumped to N1,750 when he returned to refill his cylinder.
“I planned to buy 8kg, but I could only afford 6kg. Prices are rising so fast that budgets become useless within a few hours. It feels like everything is beyond control,” he lamented.
Obanguru noted that many Nigerians have abandoned long-term financial plans and are now focused solely on meeting daily needs.
“People are no longer talking about comfort or savings. The priority now is survival,” he added.
A resident of the Alagbado area, identified simply as Aishat, described the increase as devastating, particularly for low-income earners.
She recalled that cooking gas was selling for around N1,300 per kilogramme before the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, only for the price to jump to N2,000 within days.
“How do they expect ordinary people to survive? Many families were already struggling when it was cheaper. This latest increase has made things worse,” she said.
Aishat called on the government to take urgent steps to address the rising cost of living and ease the burden on citizens.
Similar concerns were expressed by Rafat Kolawole, a resident of Shitta Alimi, who said she was stunned after sending her children to refill the family’s gas cylinder.
“They came back and told me gas had increased to N2,000 per kilogramme. I couldn’t believe it. I cook with gas and don’t even have a charcoal stove. The government needs to act because people are already exhausted,” she said.
For Ruqoyat Ayelabowo, who visited Ilorin during the Sallah festivities, the rapid increase has become a source of frustration for many families.
“On the eve of Sallah, we bought gas at N1,600 per kilogramme. The next day, my neighbour paid N1,800. When we went back a few days later, the price had climbed to N2,200. The increases are happening too frequently,” she said.
Ayelabowo warned that many residents can no longer conveniently afford cooking gas, charcoal or even firewood, urging authorities to intervene before the situation worsens.
Checks across several towns in Kwara showed that the increase is widespread, with LPG prices ranging between N1,900 and N2,400 per kilogramme depending on location and outlet.
In Offa Local Government Area, some retailers were reportedly selling cooking gas for as much as N2,300 per kilogramme, making it one of the highest prices recorded in the state.
The development has intensified concerns among residents, many of whom fear that continued increases in energy costs could push more households deeper into hardship.
Want to stay updated about everything in NIGERIA?
Click the button below to join our WhatsApp group...
Leave a comment