Christmas on the Brink: Nigerians Face Soaring Food and Transport Prices
With just three days left until Christmas, Nigerian families are feeling the pinch as food and transportation costs reach unprecedented highs. The soaring prices of essential goods, such as poultry, rice, and vegetables, are making it increasingly difficult for many to celebrate the festive season as they once did.
In Lagos and Abuja, food markets are buzzing with frustration. At Ikorodu’s Agric Market, Mummy Somto expressed disbelief at the staggering increase in prices, highlighting that a chicken that cost ₦15,000 last year now goes for ₦35,000. “What will that do for my family?” she asked, adding that the situation is unlike anything she’s ever seen in Nigeria.
The surge in food prices is largely due to escalating transportation costs, with truck owner Alhaji Shehu, explaining that fuel and security costs are driving up prices for basic commodities. The price of a 50kg bag of rice, for example, has jumped from ₦65,000 to ₦95,000 or more.
In Abuja, the situation is similarly grim. Many families are scaling back their Christmas celebrations as chicken prices soar to ₦25,000 or even ₦130,000 for turkeys, while transportation fares from major cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt have increased by up to 35%. Airfares have seen an eye-watering 218% rise, leaving many with no choice but to cancel travel plans.
Despite government initiatives, such as fare rebates and free CNG bus services, many Nigerians still struggle with the high cost of living. With food inflation exceeding 40% in Abuja, essential items like beans, garlic, and tomatoes have also become prohibitively expensive.
As Christmas approaches, it’s clear that for many, the holiday season will be marked more by financial strain than festive cheer.
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