Nigeria is currently experiencing one of its most difficult economic periods, and for the average consumer, life is becoming increasingly unbearable.
With inflation soaring to record levels, the naira’s value plummeting, fuel subsidies removed, and prices skyrocketing across the board, many Nigerians are finding it nearly impossible to survive.
The purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians has been severely eroded, forcing families to make agonizing decisions. Millions are struggling to meet even their most basic needs.
Mr. Amos Ifeduba, in an interview with Daily Independent, remarked, “The economic situation in Nigeria has reached a point where it is no longer just about struggling to make ends meet, it is about mere survival.”
Backing up Ifeduba’s comments, recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that inflation surged to a staggering 26.7% in September 2024, up from 20.77% in the same month the previous year. This inflation spike is largely driven by the skyrocketing prices of food and essential goods.
Food inflation alone has shot up by 31.5%, making it increasingly difficult for the average Nigerian to afford basic meals.
Staple items such as rice, beans, and cooking oil, once accessible to most families, have now become luxury items. The price of rice has jumped from ₦30,000 per 50kg bag to over ₦50,000 in just a year. Similarly, cooking oil prices have surged by 70%, and beans and other key ingredients have become out of reach for millions.
The inflation crisis is further worsened by the removal of fuel subsidies. Fuel prices have risen to ₦1,071 per liter, leading to a chain reaction that has driven up transportation costs, which in turn, has inflated the prices of almost everything, from food to clothing to healthcare.
The high cost of transport is preventing many Nigerians from commuting to work or school regularly, limiting their economic opportunities and further deepening their struggles.
With the newly approved minimum wage of ₦70,000, many Nigerians still earn far below this threshold. The reality is that for the majority of workers, making ends meet has become an increasingly difficult challenge.
In major cities like Lagos and Abuja, the cost of living has outpaced wage growth by a wide margin, and the gap between income and expenses is widening. A recent World Bank survey revealed that more than 60% of Nigerians are now living below the poverty line.
The situation is dire: a typical household now spends a significant portion of its income on food, leaving little room for essentials such as education, healthcare, and housing. For many, food now accounts for 80% or more of their monthly expenses, forcing them to cut back on even the most basic needs.
The frustration of consumers is palpable. During a recent market survey in Ogba, Lagos, trader Iya Wale expressed her frustration: “Everything don dear, no be small. Dem talk say rice, ewa, and agbado go cheap if we vote for them, but today, we nor fit buy them for market. How person go chop when everything cost like this? Dem no dey feel us for government.”
In Ogun State, Mr. Kenneth Ndimele, a civil servant, shared his despair: “I can’t even explain how things have changed. My salary is still the same, but food prices have doubled. My children’s school fees are overdue, and I’m borrowing money to survive. With the high cost of transport, I’m not sure how long I can keep up with this life.”
Similarly, Kemi Arokola, a single mother in Surulere, Lagos, said: “I used to stock rice worth ₦30,000, but now I have to spend ₦50,000 because the price of a 50kg bag has gone up to ₦90,000 or more. How am I supposed to feed my kids? They’re skipping meals, and every day I worry about where the next meal will come from. It breaks my heart to see them suffer.”
The pressure on consumers is relentless, and it’s not just the poorest Nigerians who are feeling the heat. The middle class, once considered stable, is also being squeezed out of the economy.
A report from the African Development Bank (AfDB) reveals that over 70% of middle-class Nigerians have had to cut back on discretionary spending, even on critical areas like healthcare and education. Many are dipping into their savings, or worse, accumulating debt just to survive.
The situation has become so dire that many middle-class families are now facing tough choices they never imagined they’d have to make.
Economist Mr. Ben Nnamdi commented: “What we’re seeing now is an economy that is fundamentally unsustainable for the average Nigerian consumer. The rise in inflation, the devaluation of the naira, and stagnant wages are eroding the quality of life for millions. Even those once considered financially stable are feeling the pinch.”
In response to the crisis, the government has introduced measures such as cash transfers to vulnerable households. However, these interventions are widely seen as insufficient. The ₦8,000 cash transfer, meant to help the poorest Nigerians, is hardly enough to offset the increasing cost of living.
For a family spending upwards of ₦20,000 a week on food alone, ₦8,000 is barely a drop in the ocean.
Consumer rights advocate Mrs. Yetunde Akinyemi criticized the government’s approach: “While the cash transfers are well-intentioned, they fail to address the underlying issues that are causing the economic hardship. Inflation, fuel prices, and the depreciation of the naira are the real problems, and until these are tackled, the situation will only worsen.”
While the government has promised reforms to tackle these challenges, many remain skeptical about the feasibility and effectiveness of these promises. The scale of the crisis demands immediate, large-scale action to relieve suffering.
The economic struggles faced by Nigerian consumers are not merely about rising prices—they reflect a deeper systemic failure to provide for the country’s people. Experts argue that comprehensive economic reforms are urgently needed to address inflation, stabilize the naira, and create sustainable sources of income for households.
Without these reforms, the pain for consumers will only intensify, and Nigeria risks facing deeper poverty, widespread hunger, and potential social unrest.
As Mrs. Evelyn Otokiti, a consumer advocate, said: “The government must act now to stabilize the economy, ease the burden on consumers, and restore hope to millions of Nigerians who are teetering on the brink of despair. If not, the consequences will be dire, not just for consumers, but for the nation as a whole.”
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