Unaffordable Cooking Gas Undermines Nigeria's Climate Gains

Nigeria's government is actively promoting climate action, launching components of an emerging carbon market and organizing youth climate summits. Federal and local governments are urging citizens to plant trees to combat climate change.

Despite these commendable efforts, the reality for ordinary Nigerians paints a starkly different picture. The price of cooking gas has surged to ₦2,000 per kilogram, an all-time high that has pushed many, especially low-income households, to abandon gas cylinders for charcoal and firewood. This forced adaptation, while inconvenient and potentially harmful to health, is a matter of survival.

The demand for charcoal and firewood has consequently boomed, with sellers reporting significant increases in business. This trend is particularly concerning given Nigeria's substantial export of wood and charcoal, valued at over ₦772 billion between 2020 and 2025. While domestic consumption figures are less clear, over 70% of households rely on these traditional fuels.

The environmental cost is substantial. Nigeria lost approximately 1.14 million hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2021, largely due to wood and charcoal production. This deforestation, equivalent to the combined landmass of Lagos, Enugu, and the FCT, highlights a critical gap between stated climate ambitions and the on-the-ground consequences of economic hardship.