Emmanuel OchayiThe Yuletide season, traditionally a time of joy and celebration, has taken on a grim tone in Nigeria. Skyrocketing prices of essential goods, coupled with stagnant wages, have made even the simplest holiday traditions out of reach for many. Food inflation is at an alarming 39.93%, while headline inflation stands at 34.60%. This harsh reality has eroded the festive spirit, leaving families struggling to meet basic needs.
A bag of rice, once a staple of holiday meals, now costs between N90,000 and N100,000, and chicken is priced between N15,000 and N35,000. Other essentials such as yam, fish, and palm oil have also seen steep price hikes. The rising costs have turned what should be a season of abundance into one of scarcity.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“The price of food is just unbelievable,” says Chinyere Okafor, a single mother of three in Lagos. “I couldn’t even afford rice for my children. The government talks about policies, but we don’t see the impact on the ground.”
Transportation Costs Divide Families
The cost of transportation has further deepened the crisis, making it nearly impossible for many Nigerians to reunite with their loved ones during the festive period. Although the government announced a 50% subsidy for some transport fares, this measure has reached only a small fraction of the population.
“For me, going home this year is a dream I can’t afford,” laments Chibueze Agor, a trader at Oshodi Market. “Transport fares are too high, and even the roads are unsafe. It’s like we’re being punished for wanting to see our families. Transport to my state cost more than N25,000. Although I am sad I am unable to afford it but I still thank God for life”
Minimum Wage Falls Short
The government’s increase of the minimum wage to N70,000 has done little to cushion the economic blows. Many state governments have yet to implement the policy, leaving workers struggling to survive on stagnant wages. The gap between official policy and on-ground reality has widened, further eroding trust in leadership.
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“For months, the new minimum wage have been paid, but how much of things can it get? especially in the area of transport to work,” asks Aliu Mary, a civil servant in Lagos. “It feels like the government doesn’t understand our struggles. How can we celebrate when we can barely eat?”
Extortion and Insecurity Add to the Strain
Travelling during the Yuletide has also become fraught with challenges. Increased highway patrols, meant to enhance security, have instead led to reports of extortion by law enforcement agencies. Combined with fears of kidnapping and banditry, many Nigerians are forced to reconsider their holiday plans.
“If you’re not worried about the cost of travel, you’re worried about your safety,” says Salami Aishat A.K.A Mama Alata, a trader in Isolo Market. “The government should be protecting us, not making our lives harder. I have always travelled during festive period while my girls sell on my behalf but the cost of transportation is too high. With insecurity on the rise now, I will not even think of travelling if I have enough money too”(translated)
Calls for Stronger Government Intervention
The disconnect between government policies and the realities faced by citizens has led to growing frustration. Social welfare programs, touted as solutions to alleviate poverty, have failed to deliver tangible results. Citizens are calling for the government to take urgent action to address food insecurity, transportation woes, and economic instability.
“The government must act now,” urges Okafor. “We need real solutions, not just promises. This season should be about hope, not despair.”
A Time for Change
As Nigerians endure another challenging Yuletide, the need for government action has never been clearer. The festive season offers an opportunity for the government to restore hope and rebuild trust. By prioritising policies that address the immediate needs of citizens, the government can turn the tide of economic hardship and rekindle the spirit of the season.
“The Yuletide is about family, togetherness, and hope,” says Agor. “If the government listens to us, it can still make things right.”
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been in office for over a year, and the time for excuses has passed. The government must demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of Nigerians, ensuring that future festive seasons are marked by joy rather than struggle.
This Yuletide, as millions of Nigerians grapple with economic hardship, the call for stronger social welfare policies grows louder. It’s time for the government to take decisive action to make the season a true celebration of hope and resilience.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
