As the Christmas and New Year festivities approach, many Nigerian families are scaling back their holiday plans due to a steep rise in food prices.
The cost of key festive foods, including chickens and turkeys, has increased drastically, leaving citizens grappling with how to celebrate the season amidst economic hardship.
Across major markets in the country, the price of a chicken now ranges from N15,000 to N25,000, while turkeys are selling for as much as N130,000 in some locations.
Sellers attribute the price hike to increased transportation costs, high feed prices, and supply chain challenges.
In Abuja’s Utako and Wuse markets, local turkeys are priced between N85,000 and N130,000, while “agric” turkeys cost N110,000 to N140,000.
Similarly, in Plateau State, chickens range from N8,000 to N25,000, and turkeys are between N70,000 and N110,000, with sellers lamenting low patronage despite the festive period.
Groundnut oil, another essential item, has also seen a sharp price increase. A five-litre gallon now costs up to N18,000, with vendors blaming the surge on rising groundnut prices. Cooking oil brands like King and Golden Terra are selling for N100,000 and N95,000 respectively for 25kg bottles in Lagos markets.
The cattle market has not been spared either, with cows priced between N700,000 and N1.5 million depending on size. According to Malam Rabiu Muhammad, Chairman of the Cattle Market in Jos, these prices are affecting sales significantly.
For many civil servants, the rising cost of living is forcing them to plan low-key celebrations.
“What should be a season of joy has turned into a period of anxiety for families like mine,” Olije Edward, a government worker in Benue State told Daily Trust.
Despite the challenges, some Nigerians are determined to find joy in simpler celebrations. Ebitare, a civil servant in Bayelsa State, expressed gratitude for life amidst the economic strain.
“The most important thing is that God has preserved us to see another Christmas,” she said.
