As the Christmas and New Year celebrations draw near, many Nigerian families are cutting back on holiday plans due to skyrocketing food prices, which have made traditional festive staples unaffordable for many.
The cost of essential items like chickens, turkeys, and cooking oil has risen sharply, leaving citizens struggling to adjust their budgets amidst persistent economic challenges.
In markets across the country, chickens now sell for between N15,000 and N25,000, while turkeys are priced as high as N130,000 in some areas.
Sellers blame the hikes on increased transportation costs, high feed prices, and ongoing supply chain disruptions.
In Zaria, Kaduna, Chickens are being sold at the rate of N15,000 to N30,000 while local turkeys are sold at the rate of N70,000 to N100,000.
At Abuja’s Utako and Wuse markets, local turkeys cost between N85,000 and N130,000, while imported turkeys (“agric”) range from N110,000 to N140,000.
In Plateau State, chickens are being sold for N8,000 to N25,000, and turkeys for N70,000 to N110,000, with vendors lamenting poor sales despite the season.
Cooking oil prices have also soared. A five-litre gallon of groundnut oil is now priced at N18,000, while 25kg bottles of popular brands like King and Golden Terra are selling for N100,000 and N95,000, respectively, in Lagos markets.
Rising groundnut prices are being cited as the primary cause of the surge.
The cattle market has seen similar trends, with cows priced between N700,000 and N1.5 million, depending on size. Malam Rabiu Muhammad, Chairman of the Cattle Market in Jos, noted that these high prices are significantly affecting sales.
For many civil servants and low-income families, the rising cost of living has turned what should be a season of joy into a time of worry.
“This season feels more like a burden than a celebration for families like mine,” lamented Olije Edward, a government worker from Benue State.
Despite the economic difficulties, some Nigerians are choosing to focus on gratitude. Ebitare, a civil servant in Bayelsa State, reflected, “The most important thing is that God has kept us alive to see another Christmas.”
As families across the nation brace for a simpler celebration, the festive spirit persists, albeit in a more modest form.
