₦airaland Forum

Below are concrete levers for the current high cost of living faced by Nigerians that work in a free-market, federal system without direct price controls. The pattern of intervention is the same across all 5 area's exerting pressure on President Tinubu's Government. The levers do not fix the price but fix the cost structure, competition and the information.

1. FOOD

Reason for prices spike
Transport cost resulting from fuel subsidy removal and arbitrary transport fare hike, multiple illegal levies, middlemen layers, seasonal shortages, FX on imported inputs.
What Hon. Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy Taiwo Oyedele must do:
Kill illegal road levies
Federal government should make matching infrastructure grants to states conditional on digitizing market levies and capping them at 1% of value. Publish levy rates per route on USSD/SMS so traders can report violations.
Open “food corridors”
a. Prioritize 5-6 highways with dedicated police/NSCDC units to stop illegal checkpoints. Buhari's government did this for onions/tomatoes in 2021 & transport cost dropped 20% on those routes.
Temporary supply fixes
a. Release maize, wheat, rice from strategic reserves and grant 6-month zero duty on wheat, rice, sorghum imports. When supply goes up & prices will go down without capping.
Price transparency
a. Daily wholesale prices from 10 major markets pushed via SMS/WhatsApp. Farmers stop selling blind to middlemen who are currently cashing out from the economy policy reforms fallout.

2. TRANSPORT:
Why prices spike
Diesel/PMS cost, CNG infrastructure gap, port delays, fragmented operators.
What we should do
Fast-track CNG/LNG conversion
a. Subsidize conversion kits for commercial buses/trucks. CNG is 40-60% cheaper per km. At least target 100 CNG stations on Lagos-Kano, Lagos-PH, Abuja-Kaduna in 12 months via PPP. Since we have less months to the election, 30-50 stations can still suffice before December 2026 end.
Cut port dwell time
Single window clearance, 24hr port operations and fines for customs delays. Every day a container sits adds ₦200k plus to goods cost.
Operator co-operations
a. Help transporters form cooperatives to buy fuel/parts in bulk and negotiate maintenance. Lowers unit cost without regulating fares.

3. Pharmaceuticals

Why prices spike
Forex volatility, 70% import dependence, weak distribution, weak competition on generics.
What to do:
Prioritize Forex for health
a. CBN should give priority FX access to WHO-GMP manufacturers and accredited importers of essential medicines. Not for all importers, just health-critical goods.
Local manufacturing push
a. 5-year tax holidays, accelerated depreciation, guaranteed NHIA procurement for local firms meeting NAFDAC standards.This is likely to cut drug prices by 30%.
Public price registry
a. NAFDAC publishes “benchmark retail price” for 100 essential drugs ( landed cost + 20% margin), no cap, but pharmacists charging arbitrary 200% get flagged and risk license renewal.
Bulk procurement: Centralize buying for public hospitals via NHIA to get volume discounts.

4. CEMENT

Why prices spike
Oligopoly structure, gas cost, transport, weak import competition.
What to do
Open import window temporarily
a. 6-9 months zero duty for licensed cement importers. Threat of imports breaks local pricing power. President Goodluck Jonathan did this in 2011 and prices dropped 15% in 3 months.
Industrial gas pricing
a. Sell gas to cement plants at a fixed Naira rate, not dollar-linked. From research its a known fact that Gas is 30-40% of production cost.
FCCPC enforcement
a. Investigate coordinated pricing by the 3-4 major producers(Dangote, BUA cement & others). We don’t need price caps if collusion is broken successfully.

5. Building materials
Why prices spike
FX on steel, aluminum, fittings; import dependence; fragmented market.
Solution:
Duty relief on inputs, not finished goods
a. Zero duty on steel billets, aluminum ingots, glass raw materials.
b. Keep duty on finished steel/roofing to protect local assembly.
Local content for public projects
a. Mandate 60-70% local materials for federal/state projects. This will scale local production of blocks, fittings, roofing sheets.
Materials exchange platform
a. Online platform where contractors and suppliers post prices. This will cuts the popular Guy quote what you think they can pay and blame it on Tinubu reforms problem. You know some Nigerians are very cruel.

All the above if properly looked into & considered with an eye on President Bola Tinubu's 2027 election hurdles, fits into his economic reform constraint as solutions: “no direct price control, informal sector, corruption, overnight wealth mindset of crocked Nigerians”

1. Make cheating costlier than complying
Initiate Public price/levy data & for a start carry out selective enforcement on 2-3 high-profile collusion cases. Deterrence spreads fast in informal networks.
2. Make formal equal more profitable:
Simplified tax, access to credit, bulk buying for traders who register. We can not formalize everyone, but be able to pull the big players in.
3. Use states/LGAs as the enforcement point:
Federal government can’t police every market. Honorable Minister Taiwo Oyedele should tie federal grants to states that reduce illegal levies and publish market data.

Elkhaiemirates1:
My guy, I am the guy that posted the #780K salary stuff, abeg read that my write-up make you reason with me, I don almost faint for here oooooooooo 😢

Where you given any reason for the rejection that you believe is related to the payslip document.
I believe someone will come to our aid to assist with information on this issue.

Sakuzi:
They request for 28 days bank statement. But they recently stsrt asking for 3 months payslip or salary evidence.

Please, have you seen or heard if anyone who submitted salary evidence or payslip scaled through. Would someone who has a salary scale above N400k for more than 2yrs have issues with this current development.

The ADC Party issue is an internal political crisis and a legal matter but this is what opposition really stand for, giving the ruling party a tough ride, making international organization and government to beam touch light into our political system, mounting pressure on the ruling party.
Who knows what this rally can do, don't underestimate it and don't overrate it.

I have observed that Nigerians are too emotional about politics and legal matters, and quick to trade blame on the ruling party or incumbent government on matter's that are wholly legal and need a legal resolve.
Bellow is what we need to know on the ADC matter instead of spilling emotions. The court of law does not understand emotions but proven facts before it.

On 2nd July 2025, the old ADC executive officers led by Ralph Nwosu relinquished their positions, including the office of the Vice Chairman on governance occupied by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the current eye in the storm.
29th July 2025, the David Mark led executive were sworn in by the ADC party.
Nafiu Bala Gombe as claimed was made the North East region chairman. This did not go down well with the powerful politicians from the region. They plotted and relinquish him of his position and gave something smaller. This singular act birth the mother of grievances as narrated by the former senator Elisha Abbo.

In all this unfolding events ADC new colonizers were working to dot their I's and cross their T's , perfecting their house but has not officially made known their new executive to INEC for official recognition.
In September 2025, 7 days before the official notification and filing of ADC new executive leadership to the regulatory body INEC, Nafiu Bala Gombe took ADC to court claiming he is the ADC's substansive Chairman and ask the court to recognize him as the new ADC Chairman.

The following below is were answers need to be provided without running emotions.
1. When an issue emanate in a political party after a recognized handing over of party leadership within the party before the official notification and further recognition by INEC of the internal changes in the political party, should that legal disagreement that has not been resolved be considered legitimate and guide INEC on a later decision on the leadership of that troubled party?. This will solve the status quo antebellum lyrics in the mouth of Nigerians.

2. Should a party executive officer who acclaimed officially resigned from his position and later claimed he never wrote and signed any resignation letter but attended all party events, be recognized as the new party leader when all other party members resigned their positions?
Who is to decide and resolve this claims?

3. Can a state chairmen of a political party resolve to make a national vice chairman, a substansive Chairman of a political party in the advent of resignation of all other party leadership when a new leadership is been considered?. This was the claim of Nafiu Bala Gombe before the July 29, 2025 new executive taking over the party leadership.

4. Can a political party facing Internal legal matters be given consideration in the advent of a regulatory time line for all political parties to conduct congress and submit executive leadership?.

5. Can a political party with legal matters continue with party national convention inspite of unresolved party leadership tussle?

I believe the above but not limited to if answered can resolve or mare ADC, restoring or dashing the hope for all opposition party in Nigeria.
Thank you for the read.

Akatu Simon Adogwu
Policy Consultant

I have noticed that Nigerians are too emotional about politics and legal matters. This is what we need to know on the ADC matter.
On 2nd July 2025, the old ADC executive officers led by Ralph Nwosu relinquished their positions, including the Vice Chairman on governance Nafiu Bala Gombe.
29th July 2025, the David Mark led executive were sworn in by the ADC.
Nafiu Bala Gombe was made the North East regional chairman. This did not go down well with the powerful politicians from the region. They plotted and relinquish him of his position and gave something lower. This singular act birth the mother of grievances as narrated by the former senator Elisha Abbo.
In all this activities ADC new colonizers were still working to organize their house and has not officially made known their new executive to INEC for official recognition.
In September 2025, 7 days before the official notification and filing of ADC new executive leadership by the regulatory body INEC, Nafiu Bala Gombe took ADC to court claiming he is still the ADC's substansive Chairman and ask the court to recognize him as the new ADC Chairman.
The following below is were answers need to be provided.
1. When an issue emanate in a political party after a recognized handover of leadership within the party before the official notification and further recognition by INEC of the internal changes in the political party, should that issue be considered legitimate and guide INEC on a later decision on the leadership of that troubled party?. This will solve the status quo antebellum lyrics in the mouth of Nigerians.
2. Should a party executive officer who acclaimed officially resigned from his position and later claimed he never wrote and signed a resignation letter but attended all party events, be recognized as the new party leader when all other party members resign their positions?
3. Can a state chairman of a political party resolve to make a national vice chairman, a substansive Chairman in the advent of resignation of all other party leadership when a new leadership is been considered?. This was the claim of Nafiu Bala Gombe.
4. Can a political party facing Internal legal matters be given consideration in the advent of a regulatory time line to conduct congress and submit executive leadership?
I believe the above but not limited to if answered can resolve the ADC Internal rangling and restore hope for the opposition party in Nigeria.

Feb 14 love is a distraction from God's Love, a love feast orchestrated by the devil himself to make humanity sin.
God's love in John 3:16 is sacrificial and involves death to let Love lead, so that the other partner who is weaker can enjoy the benefit of life.
Love is not about affection, admiration of body parts and it's beauty, not about professing love languages like gift, affirmative action etc. but dying to ones convenience for others benefits.

Before 2023, our GDP was never a real GDP to measure our economic strength against dollar, what we had then was an artificial GDP that was by fiat pegged by all the past successive government, giving a false market value of our economic growth.
At the coming of PBAT in 2023, we have to find our true GDP value in dollars, this is what led to the currency floatation and we saw the large slump in the GDP from $500b+ to $200b+, though this affected our purchasing power value but it helped in finding the true $ value of our GDP. For every single growth today, gives us our genuine growth curve. This, we have already seen. We were never that too rich but we were living a fake life

It's a technical way of exiting the country financial system. Or a way to attract shady saver's, the switz bank of Nigeria

Press Release
Abuja,Nigeria - October 20, 2025

Middle Belt Youth Assembly Calls for Caution Amidst Planned Demonstrations

As the Speaker of the Middle Belt Youth Assembly, I am compelled to address the planned demonstrations across the country, particularly those calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

While we acknowledge the concerns and grievances of our citizens, we urge all aggrieved parties to exercise caution and restraint. The current global political tension, coupled with the fragile state of our nation, demands that we prioritize stability and security.

Global Context
The recent coup d'état in Madagascar, unrest in the United States, and ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Gaza, serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked instability.

Regional Concerns
As the youth of the middle belt region, we are particularly concerned about the potential fallout of demonstrations in our capital city. The economic and security implications would disproportionately affect our people, exacerbating an already dire situation.

Call to Action
In light of these concerns, the middle belt youth assembly calls on the youth of our region to refrain from participating in the ongoing demonstrations. We urge all citizens to prioritize peace, stability, and national security.

Lessons from the Past
The devastating consequences of the End SARS protests in Lagos serve as a cautionary tale. We must avoid similar destruction and chaos in our region.

Together, let us work towards a more stable and prosperous Nigeria.

Signed,

Akatu Simon Adogwu
Speaker, Middle Belt Youth Assembly
https://web./1102207162108009/permalink/1138943098434415/?rdid=a2VJIh4SakAouSEW#

The word of God and the owner of marriage institution says "Deep calleth unto Deep". What you are not, you can not attract, that is the law of resonance.
Searching outside what you can not offer, you can't find.
Live right you will find the right person.

Kudos to Dangote.
This is the only way to industrialize Nigeria, the government needs to seize the opportunity to galvanize the elites especially those who looted the nation's economy by giving them corruption amnesty for them to fund critical sectors that will boost the nation's economy and increase revenue for the investors and the government.
We need Investment in cargo and human train station lines transversing the length and breadth of Nigeria, connecting Nigeria to all it's neighbouring countries. Investment in industries that will embrance value addition of Local agricultural produce maint for Nigeria and west African states consumption.
Investment in car manufacting targeting conquering West Africa.

What wike is saying, is that Drawing Jonathan into the battle race, divides the southern vote, clearing the coast for Atiku.

Printing Money is not a normal and logical financial system practice across the globe, countries who resort to such practice only do that when their economy is facing revenue crisis and had no where to turn in meeting the nation's financial needs.
The resultant effect of this currency printing decision eventually leads to excess money in circulation outside of the banking system and in turn sky rocket the countries inflation rate, sky rocketing prices of goods when demand outweigh production.
It also erode a nations currency value and eventual exiting foreign nvestors due to the red flag it portrays on the country's financial crisis.

Why do Nigerians always insult their leaders, from the above data, Egypt Interest rate is as high as that of Nigeria. Egypt will be commended but Nigeria will be insulted.
Egypt and Nigeria are undergoing economic reform's, especially in the area of mopping up excess liquidity from circulation, in the case of Nigeria the interest rate encourage deposit and less of cash in hand leading to currency mop up and strengthening the currency which in turn drops the inflation rate.
Also, high interest rate is targeted towards Foreign Portfolio Investment, attracting dollars into Nigeria, thereby increasing our dollar liquidity. These and some other targeted policy influence interest rate increase

In my submission, the NCAA should sanction the security Boss and the tarmac security personnel.
Under no circumstances should a passenger be allowed to get close to a plan after been clared for take off, even though the plan might have upto 5 min preparation time for takeoff. It's not the duty of the Pilot to check around the airplane for an intruder, cow, goat or anything as the case may be.
I think the Minister should reconsider his decision or intervene in the Pilot plight of conviction for wrong doing.

As long as India is not a global hedgemony like USA and China is, there must submit to Trump's demand or else dollar will dry out from their system

N30m will build you 3 bedroom duplex here in Nigeria, what's the cost of duplex in $ where he is. Nigeria have a far better PPP than his submissions

My brother CP, don't mind the village witchcrafts disturbing those children. Your destiny and theirs are not the same.
You have achieved your aim let them go and achieve theirs through their own Lord's. We all have our own individual route to success, keep moving bros

#CP, don't mind the village witchcrafts disturbing those children. Your destiny and theirs are not the same.
You have achieved your aim let them go and achieve theirs through their own Lord's. We all have our own individual route to success, keep moving bros

I for one will go to the street and protest if FG plans to favor Nigerian farmers again. Ha, they are not humans at all, bunch of wicked souls calling themselves farmers, bag of rice climbed N100k.
How can we be this wicked to ourselves, let government flood the market until no Rice farmer is in farming. No no no, if this is the only thing this government will solve, I will vote them come 2027.
Let other sector like cement whole salers, building materials and so many other products highjacked by middle men also watch out.

I think Mr. Onakpasa is not far from the truth. The crowding of opposition into APC does not affirm loyalty status on them,2015 still remains fresh in the history of Nigeria political space, where the interest of the North was served from within the ruling party. Same deja Vu might be coming, a wise man will learn from the past.

I am an ardent admirer of Timubu's free market economy system that was introduced to free up Ballance of trade, free up the countries Revenue generation basket and maintain a stable foreign exchange market.
For this, he must be commended because the future generations has been liberated as we can see in the 2025 budget deficits percentage as compared to other past presidents budget.

Where he failed woefully and should be tongue lashed is the social security transfer to protect the vulnerable Nigerians from the policy shock and price protection of good's and services that would have shielded the poor from business men who used the devaluation as a yardstick to rip off common Nigerians. These two buffer's was were the free market economy system is anchored upon for successful implementation. I will add the third part which is introduction of subsidy on income tax for income earners and subsidy on one time purchase of fuel monthly not more than N50K for the lower class.
I believe this is where he missed his target and publicly refused to adhere to public outcry of Nigerians.
Today, the dice has been cast and judgement day is drawing nearer. It will take a mavericks to defend and play the card to favor Mr. President genuine intentions and also his deliberate neglect.

PDP will come alive immediately after 2027 election when the South has won election. President Tinubu and Wike will decide the next president from the North come 2031, the 2 candidate from PDP and APC will be both choosen and backed by the 2 powerful individuals.
The election will be free and fair because the both candidates will be given free hands to test their popularity and financially backed up by the the 2 powerful individuals.

For Nigeria to increase her revenue basket with a positive balance of trade, an image maker must be employed either as ambassador or Mr. President taking up the responsibility himself.
He has done this perfectly well, it will take Nigerians years to understand what Mr. President current actions has and will continue to do for us. Nairalanders put on your thinking Cap and stop being like......

Mathematically the percentage of the Yorubas appointed by President Tinubu from both South and the North is 29.8%. Judging by the 3 Major tribe distribution30% is still in place and not out of other. Can we take a look at the Hausa and Igbo statistics in the remaining 70% and see where the truth of the data lies. Those who are laying accusing fingers might be the culprit of this matter

The Nigerian youths are political in their comments. If the reports states negative indices, niaralanders will remind Nigerians that the current government is clueless but since this report is a positive one all comments are pointing to embezzlement.
Nigerians are black hearted people with no good intentions for anything. We can't grow with this kind of Nigerians.

I think the admin of nairaland are somehow interested in chaotic news that are more of a gossip rather than educational. I wrote on this same topic with the intent of educating Nigerians on how countries currency value is measured, the information did not make the front page but this one which is the continuation of the media quarrel made the front page.
It's a pity

HOW TO MEASURE WORLD CURRENCIES VALUE
The recent and ever brewing debate on the value of the Nigerian currency known as Naira against other world currencies recently climaxed due to a podcast released by Seun Okinbaloye as he anchored a discussion with the SA on Economic Affairs to the President.
Below is clarity on this debate;

The long-term trends in the value of the GBP and the USD show that historically, one British pound has usually had a higher value than one U.S. dollar, this shows that the British pound is worth more than the U.S. dollar on an insignificant basis. When one country's currency is worth more than that of another in current exchange rates, it does not necessarily indicate a stronger economy or a currency with more overall worth.
Looking at a currency's worth relative to that of another currency at a static point in time is relatively meaningless when judging that currency's inherent value. For example, the Japanese yen (JPY) is regarded as one of the world's strongest currencies, yet a Japanese yen is worth only about one U.S. cent.
By some selected economic measures, let’s take a look at what makes the U.S. dollar stronger than the British pound despite the pounds worth in numerical value more than the U.S. dollar in current exchange rates.
The dollar's status as the world's reserve currency and its greater volume of trading in the forex markets are important indicators of strength.
Additionally, the U.S. economy is a larger with a stronger economy than that of the U.K., and so a greater value is placed on its currency, even if the exchange rate means that one dollar buys less than one pound sterling.
Purchasing power parity another economic measure, is a theoretical construct that provides a kind of anchor against exchange rate movements. This means that the exchange rate between two currencies should not deviate significantly from their PPP. The degree to which a currency deviates from its PPP is one popular measure of the relative strength or weakness against another currency. For example, using a rate of GBP/USD/N 1.2500, a basket of goods worth 100 pounds should cost 125 U.S. dollars and N198, 500 respectively. PPP is arguably the far more important measure of a currency value.
Safe Haven Currencies: A safe haven currency retains its value during turbulent economic times. The Swiss franc (CHF), Japanese yen, and U.S. dollar are safe haven currencies. The U.S. dollar is a popular safe haven currency due to its massive liquidity, its prevalence as a reserve currency, and the credibility of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve. The JPY is also considered a safe-haven currency due to perpetual trade surpluses and the fact that nearly 50% of Japanese debt is held by the Bank of Japan. The CHF gets its safe-haven status primarily because one-third of global assets are held in Switzerland. When markets need to bring money home, which is the natural inclination during times of market turmoil, the three main destinations are the USD, the JPY, and the CHF.
Measuring currency convertibility also known as exchange rate. Some world currency’s has adopted fixed exchange rate regime known as currency pegging (once practiced by Nigeria and most developing nations) to an anchor currency-$ (safe haven) for identical movement (i.e the system fixes the value of a currency to another currency or a basket of currencies at a predetermined rate) while for floating exchange rate (Currently practiced by Nigeria), the value of its currency is determined by foreign exchange also known as the open market reacting to the forces of supply and demand for that currency against other currencies.
Other factors that affect currency value include a country's trade balance, economic outlook, interest rate expectations, and overall market sentiment.

Construing from the above measures as outlined, the British pound is worth more than the U.S. dollar on a nominal basis and historically, has a higher worth as judged by long-term movements in its value. However, the dollar vis-à-vis the U.S. economy is a larger and stronger economy than that of the U.K giving it more value than the British pounds

Written by

Akatu Simon A. ACIPM[i][/i]