With just three days to Christmas, Nigerians are grappling with skyrocketing food prices and transportation costs, casting a shadow over the festive season.
A visit to local markets in Lagos and Abuja revealed widespread frustration among buyers and sellers alike. The prices of staple items like rice, garri, and poultry have surged, making it difficult for families to afford basic necessities.
“I’ve never seen it this bad,” said Mummy Somto, a trader at Agric Market in Ikorodu. “A chicken that cost ₦15,000 last year now sells for ₦35,000. How can the average family afford that?”
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In Abuja, the situation is equally dire. A 25-liter container of vegetable oil costs between ₦86,000 and ₦95,000, while a bag of rice costs between ₦94,000 and ₦125,000.
Transportation costs have also risen sharply, with fares increasing by 15-35% in the past month. Airfares have risen by a staggering 218% since June, with one-way tickets costing up to ₦285,000.
The Federal Government has introduced initiatives to ease the burden, including a 50% rebate on transport fares for return trips and free CNG bus services in Abuja. However, many Nigerians remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures.
“It’s just a drop in the ocean,” said Emeka Uzo, a trader at Jabi Motor Park. “The prices are too high, and people are struggling to make ends meet.”
As Christmas approaches, many Nigerians are scaling back their celebrations due to the financial strain. Others are resorting to buying half-bags of rice and other essentials, just to make ends meet.
“It’s a bleak Christmas indeed,” said Miriam Jagaba, a mother of four. “But we’ll make do with what we have. After all, Christmas is about love and family, not just about food and gifts.”
Source: Vanguard
