The Chairman of Mile 12 International Market, Shehu Usman Jubril, has alleged that hotels and restaurants are taking advantage of Nigerians by keeping meal prices high despite a noticeable fall in food costs across markets.
In an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, Jubril argued that the failure of businesses in the hospitality sector to adjust their prices reflects deliberate exploitation of consumers.
“Prices of staple foods have dropped significantly in recent weeks, yet Nigerians are still paying excessively whenever they eat out. This is unfair and amounts to exploitation,” he said.
According to him, while farmers and traders have reduced prices due to improved harvests and supply, many food service providers have refused to follow suit.
He warned that the widening gap between wholesale market prices and restaurant charges is worsening the burden on ordinary Nigerians.
Jubril called on regulators and consumer protection bodies to intervene, insisting that such practices must not be allowed to continue unchecked.
He further advised Nigerians to patronise open markets where prices mirror the actual drop in costs.
Although experts often point to rising transport fares, energy bills, and overhead costs as factors influencing restaurant pricing, the Mile 12 leader maintained that these cannot fully justify the high charges faced by consumers.
“The truth is, if food items are cheaper in the markets, then meals in hotels and restaurants should not remain costly. Nigerians deserve fairness,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, online, especially on Twitter, the comments have sparked wider debate on pricing transparency in the hospitality sector and whether stronger regulation is needed to protect consumers.