The cost of essential food items has surged across Nigeria ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, causing concerns for many households. This comes as civil servants in various states brace for low-key festivities, citing delayed December salaries and skyrocketing costs.
Market surveys reveal steep price hikes for chickens, turkeys, cows, groundnut oil, and other commodities. Traders attribute the surge to high transportation costs, expensive feed, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by recent economic policies, including the removal of petrol subsidies and currency devaluation.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s headline inflation climbed to 34.6% in November, while food inflation soared to 39.93% year-on-year, up from 32.84% in November 2023.
In Abuja, local turkeys are now priced between ₦85,000 and ₦130,000, while imported turkeys cost up to ₦140,000. In Jos, chickens range from ₦8,000 to ₦25,000, and turkeys sell for as high as ₦110,000. Similar trends are reported in Lagos and Makurdi, where the prices of cows, chickens, and cooking oil have increased significantly.
“We have cows selling for between ₦700,000 and ₦1.5 million depending on size,” said Malam Rabiu Muhammad, Chairman of the Cattle Market in Jos. Meanwhile, a five-liter gallon of groundnut oil now costs ₦18,000 in Plateau State, a trend mirrored across the country.
Residents in Bayelsa are also feeling the pinch, with turkeys selling for ₦65,000 and chickens priced at ₦25,000 at Swali Market in Yenagoa. “Even with the promise of an ₦80,000 minimum wage, we are struggling to afford basic items,” lamented Ebitare, a civil servant in the state.
Economists link the price increases to structural challenges. Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises, cited rising energy and transportation costs, insecurity affecting farming activities, and the government’s fiscal policies as major factors.
“The displacement of farmers and the management of fiscal deficits are heating up the economy,” Yusuf explained.
For many Nigerians, this year’s festive season will be marked by subdued celebrations as families prioritize survival amidst economic uncertainty.
