Cooking Gas: FCT residents express relief as price drops

Cooking Gas - FCT Residents Express Relief as Price Drops

In recent weeks, residents of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have breathed a collective sigh of relief as the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has finally begun to decline after months of relentless increases.

This development has been met with widespread optimism, particularly among households that had struggled to cope with the financial strain of soaring energy costs.

According to market surveys conducted in Abuja on January 18, 2026, the price of cooking gas now ranges between ₦1,080 and ₦1,400 per kilogram, with NIPCO outlets offering the lowest rate at ₦1,080 per kg.

The drop in price marks a significant shift from the record highs experienced in late 2025, when many families were forced to cut back on consumption or seek alternative cooking methods.

For civil servants, traders, and low-income earners, the reduction is more than a matter of convenience, it represents a tangible easing of household expenses.

Victoria Ahaneku, a civil servant in Abuja, described the development as “a positive change that could ripple across the economy,” noting that reduced energy costs often translate into lower food preparation expenses and improved living standards.

Residents have not only welcomed the price drop but have also urged the Federal Government to ensure that the trend is sustained. Many expressed concern that without deliberate policy interventions, the relief could be short-lived.

Calls have been made for stronger government oversight of the LPG market, improved distribution infrastructure, and incentives for local production to stabilize supply. The sentiment is clear: while the current reduction is encouraging, Nigerians want assurance that cooking gas will remain affordable in the long term.

The broader implications of this price adjustment are noteworthy. Energy affordability directly impacts food security, health, and environmental sustainability.

When gas prices are high, households often revert to firewood or charcoal, which not only increases deforestation but also exposes families to harmful smoke.

A sustained reduction in LPG prices could therefore encourage more widespread adoption of cleaner cooking methods, aligning with national and global goals for environmental protection and public health.

Market analysts suggest that the recent decline may be linked to improved supply chains and adjustments in global energy markets.

However, they caution that volatility remains a risk, especially given Nigeria’s dependence on imports for a significant portion of its LPG needs.

To mitigate this, experts recommend scaling up domestic production and storage capacity, which would shield consumers from external shocks and currency fluctuations.

For now, the mood in Abuja is one of cautious optimism. Families are enjoying the immediate financial relief, but the conversation has shifted toward sustainability. As one resident put it, “If gas is cheap, many people in the villages will start to use it.”

This statement underscores the potential for broader social transformation if affordability is maintained.

In conclusion, the drop in cooking gas prices across the FCT has provided much-needed respite for residents, easing household budgets and offering hope for cleaner, more sustainable energy use. Yet, the challenge remains for policymakers to consolidate these gains and ensure that affordability is not a fleeting reprieve but a lasting reality for Nigerians.