NEWS
‘We Can’t Afford Gas Anymore’ — Abuja Residents Turn to Firewood, Charcoal as LPG Price Soars
The continuous rise in the price of cooking gas has forced many residents and business owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to abandon Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and embrace traditional cooking fuels such as charcoal and firewood.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the price of cooking gas in Abuja has climbed sharply in recent months, rising from about N1,200 per kilogram to as much as N2,000 per kilogram.
Industry operators have blamed the increase on product scarcity, higher depot costs, foreign exchange pressures and rising transportation expenses.
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Consumers and vendors who spoke with NAN on Sunday said the sharp increase in the cost of cooking gas has made it increasingly difficult for households and small businesses to rely on LPG, forcing many to seek cheaper alternatives.
A food vendor in Gwarimpa, Abuja, Mrs. Mayo Akinpelu, said she stopped using cooking gas after repeated price increases made it too expensive for her business.
According to her, she switched to firewood and charcoal because they are cheaper and can be purchased in smaller quantities.
“Refilling my gas cylinder became difficult because the price kept rising. I could no longer afford it and still make reasonable profit. Right now, 12.5kg of LPG goes for N25,000.
“Firewood and charcoal are not as convenient as gas, but they help me reduce costs and keep my business running,” she said.
Akinpelu added that although some customers complain about delays in food preparation, the alternative fuels have become her only practical option amid the persistent rise in gas prices.
Another food vendor in Dutse, Bwari Area Council, Ms. Victory Samson, said the increase in cooking gas prices had significantly reduced her profit margin and negatively affected her operations.
“It has affected a lot; my profit margin has reduced. The government should help and bring the price back to normal,” she said.
In Kubwa, a business owner, Mrs. Grace Oluwatimilehin, expressed shock over the latest increase, saying she had recently purchased gas at a much lower rate.
“I filled my cylinder at N1,600 per kg the last time, but when I went back yesterday, the price had risen to N2,000 per kg.
“I now use electric hot plates for cooking and sometimes rely on charcoal and firewood instead of gas,” she said.
For many households, the rising cost of LPG has further increased financial pressure amid the country’s economic challenges.
A resident, Mrs. Abike Ojo, said the continuous rise in gas prices was placing severe strain on her family’s budget.
“The last time I bought gas, it was N1,500 per kg, but my most recent purchase cost N2,000.
“If prices keep rising, I may stop using gas entirely because it has become too expensive,” she said.
She appealed to the government to intervene, warning that the increasing cost of cooking gas could further worsen household expenses.
Reacting to the development, a gas vendor in Kubwa, Mr. Bamishile Bolanle, confirmed that cooking gas currently sells for N2,000 per kilogram.
“The increase has affected business because people’s purchasing power has dropped significantly.
“From what we observe, the major issue is product scarcity, although we do not know the exact cause,” Bolanle said.
Another gas vendor in Dei-Dei, Mr. Alfred Orshio, said the steady rise in gas prices had led to a noticeable decline in customer patronage.
“Earlier this year, we sold gas for N1,200 per kg. It later rose to N1,400, then N1,800, and now N2,000.
“I cannot blame customers for buying less. Filling a 12kg cylinder now costs about N25,000,” Orshio said.
Meanwhile, sellers of charcoal and firewood say they are benefiting from the shift away from cooking gas.
A charcoal distributor in Kubwa, Mrs. Amina Yakubu, said demand for charcoal has increased significantly as more residents look for cheaper cooking options.
“Patronage has increased recently, and I believe it is because of the rising cost of cooking gas.
“I buy a bag of charcoal for N6,500 and sell it to my customers for N8,000,” she said.
Another charcoal vendor, Mrs. Saratu Ibrahim, also confirmed growing demand, saying her stock now sells much faster than before.
“Business is moving very fast. What used to take more than a week to sell now takes just two days. However, many people have joined the charcoal business.
“I was the first seller on this street, but there are now more than five charcoal vendors here,” she said.
A firewood seller, Mr. Taninu Ibrahim, also reported a significant increase in demand, noting that more households and food vendors were abandoning cooking gas due to rising costs.
According to him, the growing demand has also pushed up the price of firewood.
“More people now buy firewood because cooking gas has become too expensive for many families and small businesses.
“Before now, customers got six pieces of firewood for N1,000. Today, the same amount buys only four pieces,” he said.
Ibrahim attributed the increase in firewood prices to rising demand and transportation costs, adding that patronage remains strong despite the higher prices.
As cooking gas prices continue to rise, residents and business owners are increasingly adopting alternative cooking methods, raising concerns over affordability and the growing cost of living in the Federal Capital Territory.
Stakeholders have called on the government to intervene and stabilise prices, while vendors warned that persistent scarcity and weak consumer purchasing power could further reduce gas consumption and negatively impact business activities across the territory.
An International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris has ruled in favour of Nigeria, rejecting claims brought by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over the long-delayed Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
The tribunal, in its award issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, also ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse Nigeria 75 per cent of the legal fees and expenses incurred in the arbitration, amounting to $11.8 million.
The ruling came nearly nine years after Sunrise commenced arbitration proceedings against Nigeria in October 2017.
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According to details of the award, Nigeria’s legal fees and expenses were assessed at $11,819,506.51. Of the amount, $2.5 million is to be released from funds held in escrow by the ICC, while Sunrise Power and Adesanya are required to pay the remaining $9,319,506.51, with interest accruing at an annual rate of 10 per cent, compounded annually, until the outstanding amount is fully paid.
The tribunal also fixed the arbitration costs at $1,656,500, with Sunrise Power and Adesanya responsible for 75 per cent and Nigeria responsible for the remaining 25 per cent.
The dispute is connected to the development of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, which the Federal Government has identified as a major power project in Taraba State.
The company had made a claim against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, demanding $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in respect of another arbitration in which it was claiming more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest relating to disputes associated with the development of the project.
In a separate aspect of the dispute, Sunrise Power had sought an order compelling Nigeria to pay $400 million, comprising a $200 million settlement sum and a further $200 million default sum.
The tribunal rejected the claim and dismissed Sunrise Power’s assertion that Nigeria had breached its contractual obligations under the settlement agreement and its addendum.
The panel also declared that Leno Adesanya, the promoter of Sunrise Power, was bound by the arbitration agreement with Nigeria under the settlement agreement and addendum. It further held that it had jurisdiction over Nigeria’s counterclaim against Adesanya and his firm.
The arbitration dates back to a disputed 2003 agreement concerning the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Taraba State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the original contract was for a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant under a build-operate-transfer model, but maintained that the Federal Executive Council never authorised the contract.
The broader Mambilla project has subsequently been associated with a planned capacity of 3,960MW.
Reacting to the ICC award, President Tinubu said the decision affirmed Nigeria’s determination to resist what he described as “predatory and exploitative claims by corrupt local and international entities and their enablers and funders.”
Tinubu also commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, and the entire team at the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts in defending Nigeria’s position.
He also praised Nigeria’s defence team, led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP, for what he described as their professional and excellent defence of the country.
The President further commended the patriotism and support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who testified in the case.
He noted that the dispute dated back to the controversial 2003 contract for the proposed hydroelectric plant in Taraba State.
Tinubu also thanked former ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and Suleiman Adamu, as well as the experts and other witnesses who participated in the proceedings and helped defend Nigeria’s interests.
The President acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser and commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its investigation into the case.
Tinubu described the ICC decision as a major development for the Mambilla project, saying the ruling had cleared the “single biggest legal hurdle” that had paralysed the hydropower project for years.
The President assured that Nigeria remained committed to partnering with genuine investors and honouring its legal obligations.
However, he said the country would continue to defend what he described as opportunistic claims against the nation’s commonwealth.
The ICC ruling therefore brings a major chapter of the long-running legal dispute surrounding Sunrise Power and the Mambilla project to a close, while removing the immediate arbitration claim that had exposed Nigeria to billions of dollars in potential liability.
In response to the recent security alerts, the Osun State Government has approved the establishment of a Joint Security Taskforce to strengthen security response and alert to threats to lives and properties in the state.
According to a government house statement on Thursday, to ensure smooth take off of the JTF, the state government declared its readiness to provide all necessary logistics that will strengthen the protection of lives and property of the people throughout Osun State .
The decision was adopted at the State Security Council (SSC) meeting convened yesterday by Governor Ademola Adeleke and presided over by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi with the new Commissioner of Police personally in attendance alongside other security top brass.
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The Deputy Governor while opening the meeting conveyed the best wishes of the state Governor to the service commanders and lauded their steadfastness during recent security challenges and tasked them not to relent in the face of fresh security threats.
Accompanied by the Attorney General of the state, Hon Wole Jimi-Bada; the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina; and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Mr Samuel Ojo, the Deputy Governor told the commanders that the governor is committed to further empowering the security agencies to secure the state while calling on the traditional rulers to sustain their local security oversight.
The Council during its deliberations also used the opportunity of the meeting which lasted several hours to further allay the fears of the residents on their security and protection, noting that Osun state remains safe and secured.
The Council further tasks residents to be extra vigilant particularly in churches, mosques and schools, tasking stakeholders to put extra security measures around their premises.
While assuring the public of their safety, the Council further requested timely intelligence sharing to security agencies by members of the public to forestall attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits.
The Nigeria Police in conjunction with other security agencies were also directed to be on a 24 hour red alert to curtail the threats of the said bandits and terrorists.
At the meeting, an agreement was also reached between the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police, and the DSS, to collaborate with a view to ensuring that all the suspects are properly investigated and prosecuted accordingly without delay.
The meeting ended with a commendation of the new Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Zungura for instituting policing reforms since his assumption of office and for attending the security meeting in person.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Yola, Adamawa State, to lead a Federal Government delegation on a condolence visit to the family of the late elder statesman, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur.
Shettima’s visit is at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the death of the former Governor of the old Gongola State and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Vice President was received in Yola by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, alongside members of the state executive council.
Tukur, who died on September 12, 2026, was a prominent businessman, politician and elder statesman whose career in public service and business spanned several decades.
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He served as Governor of the defunct Gongola State and later became National Chairman of the PDP. He was also recognised for his contributions to Nigeria’s political development and Africa’s business community.
The presidential delegation accompanying Shettima includes the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori; former Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel.
Others on the delegation are Hon. Abdulrazaq Sa’ad Namdas; Sarkin Gabas Adamawa, Dr Mahmood Halilu Ahmed (Modi); and APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, among others.
The condolence visit comes as political leaders, government officials and other Nigerians continue to mourn the death of the former governor and PDP national chairman.
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