Nigerians are facing increasing financial pressure due to the rise in food prices as individuals, families, and businesses across the nation grapple with the effects.
Mrs. Chinaza Ukah, a foodstuff trader in Abuja, spoke to AgroNigeria about the daily struggles faced by many Nigerians. She highlighted the excessive increase in prices, from foodstuffs to household items like detergent powder and rice.
“There’s nobody who hasn’t felt the effect of this increase in prices. Everything increased – foodstuffs, everything. For example, Klin (detergent powder), if you go to buy it, they’ll tell you 300 naira for just one sachet. Even rice! One mudu is now over 2000 naira, and if you have children, that won’t even last them a day. It’s difficult for everyone, it’s too hard.”
She also shared the challenges of providing adequate meals for her family, especially school lunches. “I have four children, one almost 20 years old. And my younger sister’s daughter is with me, so altogether I have five. Sometimes, I have to buy spaghetti for 900 naira and cook so they can take it to school. Even then, it can’t satisfy them.”
The rising costs impact her business too. “People are suffering,” she said. “I can’t even buy my goods in bulk anymore. I don’t have the money to buy in cartons, so I have to buy retail. There aren’t even customers anymore. Since morning, I’ve been sitting down here. No market since. If you manage to gather a little money and go to market, you’ll come back with almost nothing. See how scanty the shop is.”
The financial constraints force her to buy goods in smaller quantities, further impacting her income. Additionally, transportation costs add to her burden. “I buy my goods from another market, and I have to spend about 1,000 naira on transportation,” she lamented.
Mrs. Ukah attributes the crisis to economic instability caused by rising fuel prices. She pleads with the government to take action: “This thing is getting out of hand. Please, the government should try and do something about it.”
From staples like rice to everyday household items, the cost of living has increased significantly. This situation creates hardship for families, particularly those with children, as essential goods become less affordable.
