Families Struggle as Daily Meals Shrink: A Cry Against the Soaring Cost of Living

Agency ReporterMarch 6, 2024

2 minutes read

In the face of a mounting economic challenge, Nigerian citizens are grappling with the soaring cost of living, with food prices, building materials, and essential services hitting unprecedented highs.

The plight of many Nigerian citizens intensifies as the cost of living skyrockets, casting a shadow on their daily lives. A cry for help echoes across the nation as prices surge for essential commodities like food items and building materials, leading to distressing circumstances.

Disturbingly, some parents have revealed that they can now only afford to provide one meal a day for their families. This distressing reality underscores the severity of the situation, prompting a closer examination of the factors contributing to this crisis.

The fluctuation of the exchange rate and inflation emerge as the primary culprits behind the skyrocketing prices, a sentiment validated by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). In a recent statement by David Stevenson, the UN’s Country Director and Representative in Nigeria, alarming inflation rates and market speculations have wreaked havoc on the prices of foodstuffs, particularly affecting those who are displaced and reliant on markets for sustenance.

An on-the-ground survey conducted by DAILY POST in Wuse, Dutse, and Utako markets further emphasizes the severity of the situation. A staple in most Nigerian homes, noodles, has witnessed a staggering 38.1% price increase in just two weeks, going from N11,140 to N18,000 per carton (120g super pack). This represents a significant 67% surge compared to the N6,000 per carton price in February of the previous year.

The rippling effects extend beyond food, as even the price of a bag of sachet water, commonly known as “pure water,” has doubled from N250 to approximately N500 and N700.

The dire economic conditions are leaving individuals and families grappling with the harsh reality. A school teacher in Makurdi, Tolu, laments, “The economic hardship is telling on everyone; we can barely eat; when we eat once daily, we thank God for that.” Moreover, schools are contemplating fee hikes, compounding the challenges faced by families.

Online beauty vendor Deborah shares her struggle, emphasizing the need to cut down on non-essential spending. “The economy has been going from bad to worse in recent weeks, and the only way my family and I have been managing is by getting only items that are necessary,” she expresses, shedding light on the ripple effect on businesses and lifestyles.

The impact is also evident in the sentiments of an Abuja-based barber, Anas, who points out the growing strain on families. “The hardship now is tough, and families are finding it difficult to feed; we are just managing,” he reveals, hinting at the strain on relationships due to economic pressures.

In the midst of this challenging landscape, a despondent Okada rider named Musa reflects on the harsh reality. “Everything is expensive in the market now; I’m just managing to feed my family once daily from the little I make from my work,” he shares, painting a grim picture of the economic struggle faced by many. As the situation unfolds, it raises pressing questions about the government’s ability to provide viable solutions to alleviate the mounting hardship.