As the price of cooking gas continues to soar across Nigeria, many households are turning to cheaper and more accessible alternatives such as charcoal, firewood, and sawdust stoves.
The steady increase in the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has put significant pressure on family budgets, forcing people to seek other ways to prepare meals. In several urban and rural communities, sawdust—once considered waste from timber industries—is now being repurposed as a primary fuel source for cooking.
Residents say the shift is born out of necessity rather than choice. “A small cylinder of gas that used to cost around ₦4,000 now goes for almost double,” said Mrs. Ngozi Okafor, a trader in Enugu. “We can’t keep up with the price, so we resorted to using sawdust stoves.”
Environmental experts, however, warn that the return to traditional fuel sources could worsen air pollution and pose health risks due to smoke inhalation. They are urging the government to address the rising energy costs and invest in cleaner, more affordable alternatives for low-income families.
Until then, for many Nigerians, sawdust and charcoal remain the only realistic options for putting food on the table.
