Rising gas prices push Kano residents toward charcoal, firewood

KANO, Nigeria — Following a recent, unprecedented spike in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) across Kano State, hard-hit households and students are rapidly shifting to alternative energy sources. Many residents are ditching their gas cylinders for charcoal and firewood to cope with severe inflationary pressures.

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Daily News 24 reports that the massive shift in consumption patterns comes as the cost of a 3kg gas refill hit a staggering N5,040 in parts of the state, forcing low- and middle-income earners to rethink their domestic budgets during the high-demand Eid-el-Kabir festive season.

Booming business for charcoal vendors

At the popular Dorayi enclave in Kano city, charcoal merchants are reporting a major surge in daily patronage as families look for cheaper ways to prepare their meals.

Mubarak Mukhtar Idris, a local charcoal seller in Dorayi, confirmed that market forces are heavily tilting in favour of solid fuels. “Since the price of gas started increasing, we have witnessed a rise in customers,” Idris explained. “People are now buying more from us because charcoal is cheaper and more economical compared to gas.”

Idris noted that while the Sallah festivities initially catalysed sales, the primary driver remains the unaffordable cost of cooking gas. The increased demand has caused a slight price adjustment in his stock. Currently, a full bag of charcoal sells for N7,500, up from the previous price of N7,000. Half-bag options are now retailed at N4,000 and N3,500, depending on the volume, compared to N3,800 and N3,300 previously.

“Different types of people come here to buy,” Idris added. “From businessmen like suya sellers and meat roasters to people who iron clothes, and regular households where both men and women use it for cooking. People buy according to their financial capacity; some buy up to five bags, while others buy as low as N500, N300, or N200 worth just to cook a single meal.”

Households adopt hybrid cooking methods

For many local homemakers, navigating the crisis has required a complete overhaul of their kitchen routines, blending patience with cost-cutting measures.

Hadiza Usman, a resident who recently transitioned to alternative fuels, revealed that she completely stopped refilling her gas cylinder once it was emptied. “I have started using both firewood and a charcoal stove to cook most of my meals,” she said. “I started using charcoal because of the high cost of gas. Every day, you hear a new price, and sometimes the gas does not even last up to a month.”

Usman now operates a hybrid system to maximize efficiency. She reserves her remaining gas strictly for minor tasks like parboiling food or heating bath water, while relying heavily on charcoal for heavy meals like beans. “I buy half a bag of charcoal for about N4,000, and it lasts me for more than a month. Charcoal is more affordable, but cooking with it requires patience because it is slow and needs constant fanning. It is more economical, but not as convenient. I just do not have a choice,” she lamented.

Similarly, Dauda Muhammad stated that his household relies entirely on firewood to prepare their festive Sallah meals. Despite noting that a bundle of firewood previously valued at N500 has doubled to N1,000, Muhammad maintains that it is still far more economical than gas.

When questioned about potential respiratory health risks associated with smoke from solid fuels, Muhammad remained unbothered. “I have not noticed any health challenges since switching from gas to firewood. I am not worried about the smoke. Our forefathers used firewood, and they did not have health problems; in fact, they lived longer than us,” he argued, adding that not everyone is financially equipped to maintain a gas-dependent home in the current economy.

Students cry out over high cost of living

The pricing crisis is also taking a heavy toll on the student community within the ancient city, pushing many to the brink of financial exhaustion.

Nafisa Idris, a student at Kano State Polytechnic, expressed deep frustration after refilling her 3kg cylinder. “I bought a 3kg gas refill today for N5,040. This is something I used to buy for N3,100,” she stated.

The student revealed that she has already purchased a charcoal stove in anticipation of a complete switch if the market situation deteriorates further. “As a student, I cannot keep spending this much on gas alone, let alone foodstuffs and other needs. There is no shame in using firewood or charcoal; one just has to find a way to survive,” she said.

Idris strongly appealed to the government to intervene immediately and address the underlying distribution bottlenecks. “I am calling on the government to do better. If the shortage of gas is causing this, then they should find a quick solution, because at this rate, we may be pushed back to the Stone Age.”