By Godfrey George, Temitope Adetunji

This is not the best of times for Nigerian families, who have had to adopt bizarre cost-cutting measures to cope with the recent hardship occasioned by the dramatic hike in the prices of goods and services.

Several of them lamented that their income could no longer take care of their daily needs, adding that the prices of staples had almost tripled in the market. Rice, which is arguably one of the commonest consumed staples in the country, has risen to N77,000 per bag.

In December, the National Bureau of Statistics stated that the country’s inflation rate hit a 27-year high as headline inflation rose to 28.9 per cent.

The December headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.72 percent when compared to the previous month’s rate.

In recent years, food prices have been on the rise across Nigeria. The situation deteriorated due to the impact of government policies such as the removal of subsidy on petrol and the free fall of the naira in the foreign exchange market.

Foodstuffs sellers in major cities, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, lamented that the cost of a bag of rice had risen almost 200 per cent.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that long grain rice, which used to sell for between N45,000 and N50,000 in November, now costs over N70,000, putting a huge pressure on the consumers.

The unprecedented increase in the prices of commodities has caused nationwide hardship, with residents of some major cities taking to the streets to register their displeasure.

From Kano to Niger, Rivers to and Osun, residents protested the hardship on the streets.

In Niger State, for instance, residents of Suleja took to the street last Wednesday to register their displeasure over the high cost of living in the country.

Wednesday’s protest came two days after a similar protest in Minna, the state capital.

The Organised Labour on Friday insisted on embarking on an industrial action to register its displeasure over the current economic hardship in the country.

Although the Federal Government has ordered the distribution of grains and other items to cushion the effects of the economic crisis across the country, citizens are still grappling with the hike in the prices of commodities.

Lagos residents lament

In Lagos, some residents, who spoke to one of our correspondents, lamented that the incessant increase in the prices of foodstuffs had strained their finances.

This is as they urged the government to intervene before things got out of hand.

A mother of two, Mrs Mede Orunmade, said this present situation had made life unbearable for her and her family.

Orunmade stated that it was as though the country was at war, adding that the hike in the prices of foodstuffs was continuous.

She said, “It has been a hard time for me and my family. The country hasn’t been in the right position for the past eight months. I have been struggling with my family to clear up our electricity bills. Coupled with the ever-rising price of foodstuffs, I don’t know if I am going to survive.

"I used to operate an online business but it has packed up. There’s no gain on any business in Nigeria like before anymore. I am just striving to survive.

“The surprising thing is that a small carton of noodles is now N7,000 to N7,800. We used to buy it for between N1,900 and N2,000 in the past. It is so shocking that the price of a bag of rice continues to change almost every minute.

"A bag of rice five months ago was around N49,000, but it increased to N68,000. As of yesterday (Thursday), my supplier said it had risen to N70,000. The cheapest thing we used to buy before, garri, is now N2,500 for a paint bucket. It was N800 before.”

Another Lagos resident and father of four, Mr Taiwo Babatunde, said he could no longer afford to feed his family like he used to.

He asked the government to come to her aid, as her suffering was becoming too much.

A housewife simply identified as Wunmi said, “The government needs to come to our aid now as everything is very hard. A bag of beans is now N65,000, which is three times the price it used to be. Also, groundnut oil is now N8,400 for four litres, and a bag of rice is now N70,000.

"This is getting too much. We hope the government will come to help us.”

Further findings by our correspondents revealed that a kilogramme of Semovita, which sold for N800 four months ago, now sells for N1,200.

The price of beans also increased from around N1,500 to N4,200 per tin.

Some women, who spoke to one of our correspondents at the Ibafo Market, Ogun State, lamented the difficulties they were facing in purchasing items from the market with little resources.

A trader, Mrs Bamise Olaiya, said, “The prices of the foodstuffs are just annoying. I came to the market with N8,000 to buy some food items but the prices have changed between last week and now. Just last week, I bought three portions of tomatoes for N1,200 and pepper for N1,000, but today I have spent N4,200 for the same items. Pepper grinding has also increased from N200 to N300.”

Businesses struggling – Traders
Entrepreneurs across various sectors are feeling the pinch as they struggle to navigate through the challenging times.

A skincare consultant, Mr Damilola Olasunkanmi, said the current economic situation had almost put her out of business.

“I don’t get customers like I used to. My customers are cutting down on skincare purchases to prioritise other essentials like food and transportation, and that is affecting sales significantly. Restocking has become a daunting task as costs continue to soar,” he said.

Similarly, a dental therapist managing a private clinic in Iwo, Osun State, Dr Oluwafemi Ogunsakin, noted that the surge in the cost of his services had deterred patients from seeking dental care.

A foodstuffs retailer, Mrs Ore Ilerioluwa, lamented that the increase in prices had continued to threaten the operation of her business.

She said, “I buy foodstuffs from the market wholesale and sell them in a little shop I run at home. But these daily changes in the prices of items are affecting me so much that I find it difficult to buy the items.

“Do you know that three days ago I bought a carton of spaghetti for N13,000, today I was told it was N14,000. Now, when you add to the cost of each one today, by the time you return, the prices will have gone up again.

"So, you will be forced to add more money. A bag of beans is now N120,000, whereas it was N70,000 before. People are going for anything cheap now. Many families are hungry.”

Another foodstuffs seller at the Magboro Market in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, Sukurat Akanni, complained that prices of many items had doubled.

Another trader, Adeola Israel, noted that a bag of brown beans had increased to N62,000, while a paint rubber now costs N6,200.

She lamented that she no longer made as much sales as she used to in the past.

Govt concerned – A’Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, said that his administration had concluded plans to establish a bulk purchase agency to regulate prices of foodstuffs and bring them within the reach of the citizens.

The governor announced this on Friday during the Nigerian Unity Conference 2024 tagged, ‘That We May be One’, organised by the 10th Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, at the Ibom Hall, Uyo.

He said that a bill to establish the agency would soon be sent to the state House of Assembly for legal backing to enable the agency to intervene and stem skyrocketing food prices in the state.

Kwara gives palliatives

The Kwara State Government delivered 10,000 bags of 10kg rice to labour unions for onward distribution to their members.

This was disclosed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Friday, following an engagement with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

In their separate remarks, the state chairmen of the Trade Union Congress, Joseph Meshach, and the Nigerian Labour Congress, Saheed Olayinka, commended the governor for his continuous efforts to provide relief to the people in the state.

Anambra residents groan

Residents of Anambra State are battling with the soaring costs of food items like rice, beans, garri, palm oil, tomatoes, onions, fruits, and others in the various markets across the state.

One of our correspondents, who spoke to residents and marketers in Awka, the state capital, and Onitsha on Saturday, gathered that the high cost of items was attributed to the rise in the value of the dollar, just as the situation dampened the mood of the people and forced them to ration food.

A visit to the Relief Market in Onitsha, and the Eke-Awka Market in Awka, showed that a 50kg bag of foreign rice was sold for N72,000 as against N51,000 a month ago. A full bag of iron beans was sold for N110,000 as against N89,000 a month ago.

https://punchng.com/citizens-groan-as-rice-hits-n77000-per-bag/?amp

E DON CAST, THIS PEOPLE DON FINISH US. PATAPATA


i will say one major cause of this high price is because of subsidy, one rubber of red oil is 18k in my area, 28k in lagos. but to transport am from east to lagos na about 10 t0 15k.




na to enter benin republic go stay.

Fd

I support media regulation big time, you will be supprised to know that the media is even causing the hike more.

by the seven gods
by the celestial beings
by the lands and seas
without food and drink this early morning.
I curse anyone that helped in bringing calamity called Tinubu and Apc upon us just because of a mere banter.
I curse you and yours because this is purely wickedness.
lives have been loss
hope shattered
jobs lost
home broken
families in kidnappers den.
over 200 million Nigerians hungry just because you don't want a certain tribe to rule.
you made that choice knowing how the party you're supporting destroyed Nigeria for the past 8 years.
but you don't care.
all you cared was to come online and taunt those you think they lost.
your taunting at the expense of over 200m Nigerians.
Today I curse you and yours and the blood of the innocent spilled because of this administration incompetence is on your head and that of your generation.
it shall never be well with you.
So shall it be!
Amen
Amin
Iseee
Aseee

But did government increase the price of fuel again after the one they did in June last year? Why continuous increase in price of goods and services? Are we importing everything we are selling here in Nigeria? Nigerian are indeed the problem of Nigeria.

Stop complaining.....
Take actions or keep quite

ayomilore:
But did government increase the price of fuel again after the one they did in June last year? Why continuous increase in price of goods and services? Are we importing everything we are selling here in Nigeria? Nigerian are indeed the problem of Nigeria.

Continuous and reckless devaluation of naira

CBN devalued again couple of days ago to discourage importation of things like rice, in their words

Can you imagine?

They also did it to bridge the gap between black market and official market rate.

You will still find those who will support Tinubu for being callous and ineptitude.

Philipgarza31:
I support media regulation big time, you will be supprised to know that the media is even causing the hike more.

Something is really wrong with you..

Things would never have become this terrible if the old rogue didn’t steal Peter Obi’s mandate. At least, Peter Obi has conscience and understood how economy functions.

If things continue deteriorating at this pace, Cameroun and Benin republic will soon close their borders due to millions of Nigerians that will start besieging them as hungry economic refugees.

This country as we used to know it is completely gone!

Philipgarza31:
I support media regulation big time, you will be supprised to know that the media is even causing the hike more.

why are you this foolish oga 😡

Continuation of renewed hardships instead of renewed hope as promised by Tinubu government. Those supporting APC, how market?

Oh my God

I filled my 12.5kg cylinder yesterday for 15,250.
I had to, don't want to go the next day and hear it has risen to 20k.

ayomilore:
But did government increase the price of fuel again after the one they did in June last year? Why continuous increase in price of goods and services? Are we importing everything we are selling here in Nigeria? Nigerian are indeed the problem of Nigeria.

You forget that diesel, gas and dollar did not remain the same, these 3 things I mentioned are one of the major things used for industrial and large scale, transportation, production, importation, of goods and services as at now in Nigeria...

So once their prices change the prices of goods might most likely follow, we warned about Tinubu but some people did not listen...

This in a way is good .

This will reduce overpopulation and stop brain dead people to produce even more brain dead children , who in future will become Bandits, kidnappers and terrorists .

.......who says corruption doesn't kill?

Kill corruption or corruption kills Nigerians...................fact.

When tinubu said I came here to dance Kano people thought he was joking.
Look at how he's dancing with the prices of food stuff.
This poverty has affected Peter obi that he hasn't eaten since last month.
Tinubu till 2090

You can insult Good Luck Jonathan all you want because you are a hypocrite. But nobody protested of hunger during his time 😂

You never see anything..

Philipgarza31:
I support media regulation big time, you will be supprised to know that the media is even causing the hike more.

Was it the media that removed fuel subsidy,was it the media that floated the naira,was it the media that took loans with crude oil.

The role of the media is to inform the public

Prigidypogodo:
by the seven gods
by the celestial beings
by the lands and seas
without food and drink this early morning.
I curse anyone that helped in bringing calamity called Tinubu and Apc upon us just because of a mere banter.
I curse you and yours because this is purely wickedness.
lives have been loss
hope shattered
jobs lost
home broken
families in kidnappers den.
over 200 million Nigerians hungry just because you don't want a certain tribe to rule.
you made that choice knowing how the party you're supporting destroyed Nigeria for the past 8 years.
but you don't care.
all you cared was to come online and taunt those you think they lost.
your taunting at the expense of over 200m Nigerians.
Today I curse you and yours and the blood of the innocent spilled because of this administration incompetence is on your head and that of your generation.
it shall never be well with you.
So shall it be!
Amen
Amin
Iseee
Aseee

All the political parties and non-political parties ( all the leadership of which 95% of them are terrible and corrupt) of this country right from independence contributed to bringing Nigeria down to its kneels.

VeeVeeMyLuv:

Continuous and reckless devaluation of naira

CBN devalued again couple of days ago to discourage importation of things like rice, in their words

Can you imagine?

They also did it to bridge the gap between black market and official market rate.

A lot of Nigerians are financial illetrates. The present CBN governor is playing puzzle game with the currency value but lots of Nigerians don't know why they're suffering.

EKONGKING:
This in a way is good .

This will reduce overpopulation and stop brain dead people to produce even more brain dead children , who in future will become Bandits, kidnappers and terrorists .

Does the economy and high standard of living in Europe makes the people to produce many children,

Poverty and hardship has affected your IQ

coputa:
Was it the media that removed fuel subsidy,was it the media that floated the naira,was it the media that took loans with crude oil.

The role of the media is to inform the public

They're angry at the media for exposing their incompetentce to the world

persius555:


A lot of Nigerians are financial illetrates. The present CBN governor is playing puzzle game with the currency value but lots of Nigerians don't know why they're suffering.

Every Nigerian knew, even an illiterate know that it was the government bad policies that is causing untold hardship in the country now.

Baba blue is working, we never see something yet

Corrections:



All the political parties and non-political parties ( all the leadership of which 95% of them are terrible and corrupt) of this country right from independence contributed to bringing Nigeria down to its kneels.

All nigerians are currupt,the system encourages it,the politicians are product of the society

princepeter566:
When tinubu said I came here to dance Kano people thought he was joking.
Look at how he's dancing with the prices of food stuff.
This poverty has affected Peter obi that he hasn't eaten since last month.
Tinubu till 2090

They saw the red light but they were to engrossed in tribal supremacy fight to take note of it.Now everyone is paying the price for the consequences of some people's mistake. No tribe is buying rice at a lesser price☹️.

coputa:
Does the economy and high standard of living in Europe makes the people to produce many children,

Poverty and hardship has affected your IQ

Who lives in a brain dead country , we all emigrated 25 years ago