Nigeria’s impoverished and underprivileged population, reliant on kerosene as their primary cooking fuel, remains without relief as the cost of this essential commodity skyrockets. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) — indicate substantial surge in the average Retail price per litre of Household Kerosene (HHK) paid by consumers in January 2023, reaching ₦1,362.27. This represents an alarming escalation of 23.33% compared to the preceding price of ₦1,104.61 witnessed in December 2022, further exacerbating the predicament faced by Nigeria’s underprivileged.
Analyzing the monthly data, the average retail price of kerosene — experienced a significant rise of 5.84 percent when compared to the preceding month’s figure of ₦1,287.10 in November 2023. Based on state analysis, Abuja topped the chart for having the highest average price per litre in December 2023, with a staggering ₦1,650.00. In second place was Ogun, closely behind with ₦1,609.52, followed by Benue with ₦1,594.44.
Household kerosene price in the South-West was ₦1,455.21 per litre.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Kwara claimed the title for the lowest recorded price at ₦917.14, followed by Rivers with ₦969.70 and Nasarawa with ₦1,071.43, as reported. Zone analysis revealed that Household Kerosene exhibited varying average retail prices per litre across different regions. The South-West took the lead with an astonishing price of ₦1,455.21 per litre, closely trailed by the North-West at ₦1,420.48. Conversely, the South-East boasted the most affordable retail rate, marking a mere ₦1,264.49.
According to recent data from NBS, the average cost per gallon of household kerosene purchased by consumers in December 2023 came to ₦4,529.92. This marks a decrease of 1.17% compared to the average price of ₦4,583.44 recorded in November 2023. Additionally, on a year-on-year basis, there has been a significant increase of 20.69% from the average price of ₦3,753.38 in December 2022. State analysis shows that Bauchi outranks all other states in terms of average retail price per gallon for Household Kerosene, setting the bar at N5,600.00. Lagos comes in second place with ₦5,273.53, closely followed by Ekiti with ₦5,234.38.
Many Nigerians have changed cooking methods due to the price hike.
Meanwhile, Delta State reported the most economical cost at ₦3,234.29, closely trailed by Bayelsa and Kaduna at ₦3,538.03 and ₦3,560.00 respectively. A regional examination indicated that the North-East achieved the steepest average retail price per gallon of Household Kerosene at ₦5,077.08, with the South West region coming in second at ₦5,014.48. The South-South experienced the lowest average price at ₦3,957.17 in December 2023.
The observed decrease in value is evident when comparing to previous months. As of January 15, 2024, kerosene is priced at ₦1303.16 Nigerian Naira per liter. This price hike has resulted in a shift for many Nigerians, particularly those residing in rural and semi-urban regions who previously relied on kerosene-based cooking stoves. Consequently, they have now turned to firewood for their cooking needs due to the surge in fuel prices, which was considered the most affordable option several years back.
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It should be noted that the rise in cost of Kerosene is not an isolated occurrence, as other Petroleum products in Nigeria, such as the widely consumed PMS, diesel, and cooking gas, have also experienced a similar upward trend. This surge in prices has had a direct impact on the availability and affordability of cooking gas, which is commonly utilized for cooking by a majority of Nigerians. NBS reports a 1.3 percent rise in the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas from ₦10,050 in October 2022 to ₦10,180 in November 2022. On a yearly basis, it increased by 39 percent from ₦7308.06 in November 2021.