ENUGU — For many residents across Nigeria’s South-East region, the year 2025 will remain deeply associated with severe economic pressure and widespread hardship.
Residents described the year as one of the most difficult periods in recent history, particularly for artisans, petty traders, and low-income earners who were frequently harassed, displaced, and subjected to multiple forms of taxation by some state authorities.
People Survived 2025 Through Faith and Hard Work — Bishop Nwokolo
Speaking on the situation, the Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Onitsha, Anambra State, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, acknowledged that the economic conditions of 2025 were extremely harsh and difficult to bear.
According to the bishop, many residents survived not because of government support, but due to personal resilience, determination, and strong faith in God.
Bishop Nwokolo, who is well known for advocating for the welfare of artisans, petty traders, and low-income earners, said people learned to rely on themselves after realizing that little or no assistance would come from government institutions.
He explained that many individuals took control of their destiny, working tirelessly despite unfavorable economic, political, and social realities.
“As people of faith, we believed that things would eventually work out. We worked diligently and refused to be overwhelmed by fear. God encouraged us not to be afraid, and we embraced 2025 with courage and purpose. We did not depend on the government,” he stated.
The bishop further emphasized that despite the crushing economic environment, people survived through perseverance and dedication. However, he urged government authorities at all levels to prioritize policies that would genuinely improve citizens’ lives.
He expressed hope that future years would offer better prospects, where hard work would be rewarded with visible productivity and improved living standards.
“The coming year should be about fixing things at home, not admiring progress elsewhere. If leaders commit to local development, Nigeria will overcome its challenges and prosper,” he concluded.
“So Much Suffering” — Voices From Imo State
In Owerri, Imo State, residents expressed overwhelming dissatisfaction with the year 2025, describing it as a period filled with frustration and disappointment.
One resident, Chikwe Osuji Nnamdi, stated that surviving the year alone was an achievement.
“Anyone who made it through 2025 has endured unimaginable suffering. The hardship was extreme. Everything felt difficult and uncertain.”
He highlighted the collapse of public electricity supply, noting that power availability was nearly nonexistent, yet electricity bills continued to rise. This situation, he explained, forced many households and small businesses into serious hardship.
According to him, people who depended on electricity for their livelihood were pushed out of business, while families struggled to preserve food due to lack of refrigeration.
He further noted that inflation reached alarming levels, food prices skyrocketed, and job opportunities were almost impossible to find, even as the country continued to produce millions of graduates annually.
“We Were Deceived” — Widow Speaks on Living Conditions
For Mrs. Chinwendu Nwaiwu, a widow and mother of four, the suffering of 2025 went beyond the rising cost of living.
She accused the government of failing to account for the savings reportedly generated from the removal of petrol subsidy. She questioned why basic infrastructure, especially in health facilities, remained neglected.
According to her, many hospitals and health centres still relied on kerosene lamps and rechargeable torches, a situation she described as unacceptable in modern times.
She also expressed concern about the poor quality of medical care available to ordinary citizens, emphasizing that the hardship affected both health and survival.
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