Eid-El-Kabir: Nigerians Struggle Amid Escalating Food Inflation

Nigerian Muslims joined their counterparts worldwide to celebrate Eid-El-Kabir amidst worsening economic hardship and rising food inflation.

Findings by NIGERIA NEWS 247 revealed that many Muslim faithful celebrated the festive season on a low key due to increasing inflation, which has driven up the prices of food items and transportation fares.

The rising inflation, which peaked at 33.95 percent in May, has caused prices to continually increase daily, according to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Food inflation in Nigeria is above 40%, making it extra difficult for many to purchase food items.

During a visit to some markets on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, DAILY POST found that prices of items have continued to rise.

Some consumers said that despite the appreciation of the Naira against the dollar, food prices remained exorbitant for the common man. A pepper and tomato dealer in Mararaba Market named Dauda revealed that a basket of tomatoes now sells for as high as N200,000, compared to N40,000 or less in April.

“Most people can’t afford these things anymore,” Dauda admitted, noting that smaller baskets and mini buckets of the perishable item were sold for N10,000 to N15,000, respectively.

At ram selling points in Mararaba, an average-sized ram was sold above N80,000, with some going for as high as N500,000. Similarly, at the Kugbo ram market in Abuja, prices significantly increased due to inflation, insecurity, high transport fares, multiple taxation, and feeding costs.

A ram dealer highlighted these factors, stating, “Last year, a ram of this size was N350,000 but it is N550,000 now. The cost of feeding and transportation has changed dramatically.”

A Muslim faithful at the same ram market said the cost of rams had become almost unaffordable due to the prevailing economic challenges. “I went to the market to buy a big ram but ended up with a small one because I could not afford the big one. The one I bought cost me N85,000, while the big one was sold for a negotiable price of N190,000.”

A commercial motorcyclist, Adamu Hassan, noted that people were trying to fulfill their religious obligations despite financial difficulties. “I could not afford a ram last year and even this year because the price keeps going higher due to inflation.”

A food seller, Njoku Mary, lamented low patronage due to the high prices of commodities and the low purchasing power of citizens. “Imagine, maggi moved from N700 to N1,300 per pack and spaghetti is N850. We are not making any gain; the government should help us.”

Ene Joseph, a trader at Nyanya Market, bemoaned the hardships in her business caused by hyperinflation. “We used to buy a bag of milk for N5,500, now it is N15,000. A loaf of bread that used to cost N600 now sells for N1600 to N2000.”

Another trader selling cereal items said a mudu of rice is now between N2,500 and N2,700, while a 50kg bag of rice is between N70,000 and N80,000.

A buyer named Mohammed expressed his frustration, stating that he could not afford what his family needed for the celebration due to the high prices of food items. “A lot of people are using the economic situation to dupe others and blame it on fuel subsidy removal.”

He called on the government to monitor the market to control prices and help curtail the rising cost of goods.