As the price of cooking gas continues to soar, many Nigerians living in urban areas are reverting to using firewood and charcoal for cooking, finding them more affordable alternatives.
Charcoal and firewood, once primarily used in rural and semi-urban areas, had been largely replaced by cooking gas due to its convenience and efficiency.
However, with the escalating cost of cooking gas, many Nigerians are now turning back to these traditional fuels.
A recent survey shows that a portion of charcoal now costs between N500 and N1,000, while firewood is priced at about N700 per bundle of four sticks.
In comparison, a 3kg cylinder of cooking gas now costs around N4,000.
In response to the rising costs, some urban dwellers have even started sourcing firewood from building sites and local bushes. This practice, more common in rural areas, has become a cost-saving measure for many families.
Yekini Abdullahi, a vulcanizer, shared that he and his wife had been spending too much on cooking gas, which had become unsustainable in the current economic climate.
He explained, “Although charcoal is cheaper, the difference is not that much, so we decided to source firewood from nearby bushes and construction sites. So far, it has worked well for us, and we are saving money.”
Victoria Shodimu, a hairdresser, noted that she had lived in rural areas before and had returned to using firewood as a practical solution.
She explained that with the rising cost of cooking gas, she started collecting firewood from local bushes, and now uses a coal pot instead of a gas stove.
“It’s cheaper, and it works just as well for cooking meals like beans,” she said.
Oluchi Udechukwu shared similar experiences, saying she saves a lot by gathering firewood from construction sites.
“When I can’t find wood at construction sites, I head to nearby bushes. It’s not glamorous, but it’s necessary to survive in these tough times,” she said.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics’ recent Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey, about 39% of households acquire fuelwood by cutting or collecting it from trees, branches, and stems.
The report further revealed that 67.8% of households use fuelwood for various purposes, including domestic cooking, agriculture, and even cultural or religious practices.
As gas prices continue to climb, many Nigerians are finding that embracing firewood and charcoal is no longer just a matter of nostalgia, but a necessary survival strategy in the face of increasing hardship.
