Nigerians are celebrating Christmas under the shadow of skyrocketing food prices and low market patronage. Across Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Rivers, and Kaduna, traders and buyers alike are struggling to cope with rising costs driven by inflation and high transportation expenses.
In Lagos, prices have surged alarmingly. At Ile Epo Market, a 25-liter container of groundnut oil now sells for N95,000, almost double last year’s price. Rice, a Christmas staple, costs N90,000 per bag compared to N41,000 last year. Traders blame these increases on soaring fuel costs, which have pushed up transportation and production expenses.
The story is the same in Abuja. At Bwari Market, a basket of fresh tomatoes, which sold for N30,000 last December, now ranges between N45,000 and N58,000. Despite a slight price drop due to oversupply, customers are few. Live chickens now cost N35,000, up 75% from last year, while beans have jumped to N170,000 per 50kg bag.
In Port Harcourt, traders at Mile 1 and Mile 3 markets are lamenting low sales despite high prices. Fresh tomatoes now cost N35,000 per basket, and smaller quantities sell for N3,000. Kano’s Sabon Gari and Yankaba markets report similar struggles, with traders experiencing the lowest patronage in years.
Kaduna residents are also reeling under the weight of soaring prices. A 50kg bag of rice costs N110,000, while a mudu of garri sells for N1,400. Onions, once affordable, now cost N200 per bulb. Palm oil prices have also spiked, with small bottles going for N1,800.
Shoppers are frustrated but feel forced to buy what they can. “The prices are outrageous, but we must eat,” said Rhoda Bamako, an Abuja resident. Many traders, like Mama Ibeji in Lagos, share the frustration, noting that while costs have risen, customers are reluctant to buy.
The impact of inflation, now at 34.6%, is being felt nationwide. The removal of fuel subsidies has worsened the situation, driving transportation costs higher. The World Bank reports that poverty levels have deepened, with 104 million Nigerians living below the poverty line.
Despite the challenges, markets remain busy as Nigerians cling to Christmas traditions. However, traders and buyers alike are calling for urgent government intervention to address inflation and stabilize the economy.
This Christmas, the festive spirit is overshadowed by economic hardship, leaving many hoping for relief in the new year.