A Nigerian lady, Jane Odinaka, popularly known online as Humble Jane E Odinaka, has expressed her shock and frustration over the recent steep increase in the price of cooking gas in her locality, highlighting the growing burden on households across the country.
Taking to her Facebook page to share her experience, Jane recounted how she was taken aback when she went to refill her gas cylinder, expecting to pay a reasonable price similar to what she had paid previously.
Jane disclosed that she previously purchased a 12kg cylinder of cooking gas for ₦13,000, but during her latest attempt, she was stunned to discover that the same quantity now costs ₦24,000. She described the price hike as shocking and disheartening, stressing how continuous increases are making even basic household needs unaffordable for many Nigerians.
She lamented on her social media page: “Please what’s with the price of cooking gas? Bought 12kg for 24k, something I bought for 13k the previous time.” Her post resonated with many, sparking widespread online discussion about the rapid price increases.
Public reactions and shared experiences
Netizens quickly took to the comment section to share their own encounters with rising gas prices, highlighting that Jane’s experience is part of a broader national challenge.
Chinenye Linda Okonkwo commented: “You bought 12kg for 24k and ya complaining… In Port Harcourt here, 7.5 kg is 29,000.” This indicated that gas price hikes are affecting multiple regions in Nigeria, with some areas experiencing even steeper increases.
Nwachinemerem Joy C. Obasi advised Jane: “I feel maybe the seller cheated you if you didn’t buy from a company. Check out for gas stations inside fueling stations close to you. They’ll always give you the best price. Road sliders are retailers.” Her comment suggested that sourcing directly from official suppliers might mitigate the impact of inflated prices set by middlemen.
Albert Uche also added: “I just filled mine 12.6k last week here… Abi e don put money?” reflecting the sense of disbelief and financial strain many households are experiencing amid rising costs.
Ongoing gas price hike
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reported that households across the country are struggling as cooking gas prices continue to spike, with a 12.5 kg cylinder now fetching up to ₦25,000, up from ₦17,500 just last week. This unprecedented increase is raising concerns about affordability and the overall cost of living in Nigeria.
NNPCL has blamed the surge on recent disruptions caused by a strike by the oil workers’ union, PENGASSAN, describing the resulting price hike as “artificial” and assuring the public that costs should normalize as distribution returns to regular operations. However, consumers continue to feel the impact, with many expressing worry over how the rising prices will affect their monthly household budgets.
See Jane’s post below capturing her reaction to the new gas price …
The ongoing situation has sparked a national conversation about the need for government intervention and better regulatory oversight to protect consumers from sudden and drastic increases in essential commodities such as cooking gas. Social media has become a platform for Nigerians to voice their concerns, compare prices across regions, and seek solutions amid the continuing economic challenges.