Nigeria’s Cost-Of-Living Crisis: Empty Pots, Rising Prices Pool -By Mabruka Abba Yusuf

As dawn breaks over Maiduguri’s bustling Monday Market, 38-year-old mother of four, Zainab Ibrahim, carefully counts the crumpled naira notes in her hand. What once bought a basket of tomatoes, rice, and cooking oil now barely covers a few essentials. After several minutes of bargaining, she walks away with less food than she planned to buy.

“We eat what we can afford, not what we want,” she says quietly.

Zainab’s story reflects the daily reality of millions of Nigerians caught in one of the country’s most severe cost-of-living crises in recent years. Across cities and rural communities alike, soaring prices of food, transportation, and household necessities are forcing families to make difficult choices between feeding their households, educating their children, and accessing healthcare.

The rising cost of living has been fueled by a combination of factors, including persistent inflation, exchange rate instability, high transportation costs, insecurity in farming communities, and the removal of fuel subsidies. Together, these challenges have driven the prices of staple foods such as rice, maize, beans, and cooking oil beyond the reach of many low-income earners.

The magnitude of the crisis is reflected in official figures. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, inflation and food prices have remained among the most pressing economic challenges facing households across the country. Reports from the World Bank also indicate that rising food costs have significantly reduced the purchasing power of many Nigerians, particularly low-income families who spend a large portion of their income on food.

For traders, the situation is equally daunting. Amina Yusuf, a food vendor in Maiduguri, says customers often blame sellers for the constant price increases.

“People complain every day, but we are also struggling,” she explains. “The goods we buy now cost far more than they did a year ago.”

The impact extends beyond the marketplace. Nutrition experts warn that many households are reducing meal portions, skipping meals, or settling for less nutritious foods. Such coping strategies increase the risk of malnutrition, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups. Meanwhile, small business owners continue to grapple with rising operating costs that threaten their survival.

Despite these hardships, Nigerians continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Communities are forming cooperative groups, families are exploring additional sources of income, and farmers are adopting innovative methods to boost production and withstand economic pressures.

However, economists argue that resilience alone cannot resolve the crisis. They emphasize the need for policies that strengthen agricultural production, improve security, stabilize prices, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

For families like Zainab’s, the crisis is not measured by inflation rates or economic reports. It is reflected in empty cooking pots, shrinking meal portions, and the daily uncertainty of putting food on the table. Although economic indicators suggest some signs of stabilization, the high cost of food continues to weigh heavily on ordinary Nigerians.

As she prepares a modest dinner for her children, Zainab’s hope remains simple: a future where feeding her family is no longer a struggle. Until then, millions of Nigerians continue to endure a harsh economic reality—one where every naira counts and every meal matters