Citizens Call for Increased Agricultural Investment to Tackle Escalating Food Costs
According to recent surveys conducted by our correspondents, consumers in eight states are expressing their frustration as essential food prices surge by at least 30% between December and April.
This significant increase in the cost of goods has had a direct impact on household budgets, leaving many struggling to afford basic necessities.
Despite the recent recovery of the naira, food prices have continued to soar across the country. In response to the concerns raised by consumers, President Bola Tinubu has pledged to take measures to stabilize the local currency, hoping to see a corresponding effect on commodity prices. As part of this effort, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has initiated a crackdown on unfair pricing, with recent raids conducted in Abuja supermarkets and plans to extend the operation to other states.
However, the latest findings from our correspondents reveal that the prices of staple food items, such as beans and garri, have seen an increase of at least 30%. These surveys were conducted in Lagos, Ogun, Gombe, Kwara, Sokoto, Ekiti, Osun, and Niger states.
In recent months, the prices of major food items have continued to rise, particularly following the removal of petrol subsidies and the devaluation of the naira. As inflationary pressures mount, Nigerians are finding it increasingly difficult to put food on their tables. The situation worsened when the naira experienced a sharp decline against the dollar and other foreign currencies, including the CFA, between February and March.
Despite the recent appreciation of the naira in the foreign exchange market, high expectations for a downward trend in food prices have not been met. Only rice has seen a reduction in price thus far, while beans, garri, and other food items remain stubbornly high.
Traders and sellers in various markets across the surveyed states have expressed their concerns over the escalating cost of food items, although prices may vary depending on the location. For example, the price of a bag of garri has risen from N37,000 to N41,000 in less than two weeks, indicating a 31% increase. Similarly, the price of one kilogram of Semovota has doubled from N700 to N1,400, representing a 100% increase. Meanwhile, a kilogram of wheat has soared from N500 to N1,200, indicating a 140% hike. The steepest increase was observed in the price of beans, which rose from N65,000 to N185,000, reflecting a staggering 164% surge.
Consequently, consumers from various parts of the country have voiced their grievances about the hardships caused by these price hikes. Mr. Rafiu Adedoja, a resident of Isolo, lamented the increased cost of his favorite meal, amala. As a bricklayer, he relies on daily dining at a popular canteen, where the price of a wrap of amala has risen from N100 to N200, with a noticeable reduction in portion size. The escalating prices have forced him to spend between N1,600 and N2,000 on his meal, a substantial burden given the current economic challenges and sporadic work opportunities.
Mrs. Bola Adekunle, a hairdresser and mother of four in the Okota area of Lagos, decried the rising prices of food items, particularly garri, beans, groundnut oil, and yam. She emphasized the increasing burden on low-income earners like herself, struggling to provide for their families. Adekunle revealed that many households are now limited to one meal a day, and even two meals are a luxury. The cost of living has become unbearable, leaving families unable to maintain their previous standards of three square meals a day.
The situation is not limited to low-income individuals. Professionals, such as Mr. Harrison Chinaka, an industrial chemist, are also feeling the impact of rising food prices. Chinaka highlighted the continuous and rapid increase in the cost of goods, including foodstuffs, bread, and provisions. Despite stagnant salaries and the escalating cost of living, individuals are expected to meet financial obligations such as school fees, rent, and bills, making survival increasingly challenging.
As the prices of essential commodities continue to climb, the consequences are particularly harsh for senior citizens. Olusegun Abatan, the South-West spokesperson for the National Association of Pensioners, expressed disappointment with the rising food prices and the government’s failure to provide promised palliatives. Abatan attributed the current economic crisis to President Bola Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy during his inauguration, and he urged the government to take more decisive actions to alleviate the price hikes and ensure the availability of affordable food items.
The impact of skyrocketing food prices is widespread, affecting individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions. From frustrated consumers to struggling families, the burden of increased costs is taking a toll on the overall well-being of Nigerians.
In recent months, Nigerians have been grappling with the escalating prices of essential food items, highlighting the inadequacy of government palliatives in addressing the challenges faced by the populace. Concerns have been raised about the rising cost of food, including items such as pepper, spaghetti, onions, and oil, which have maintained persistently high prices despite fluctuations in the value of the naira.
Traders in Lagos’ Oshodi and Agege markets have reported significant price increases between January and April, with no signs of prices reverting to previous levels. Mrs Kareem, a pepper seller in Agege, expressed her worries, stating that the price of a big basket of pepper has surged from N60,000 to N103,000. Similarly, the cost of a basket of tomatoes has risen from N35,000 to N65,000. Onions, which were priced at N30,000, soared to N60,000 in January but have since decreased to N47,000 as of Monday.
Observations at the Ikotun Market in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State have revealed the significant price hikes in food items. For instance, the price of a derica of beans, which was previously sold at N750, has now surged to N1,200. Other items such as pepper, palm oil, and bread have also experienced notable price increases. Despite the depreciation of the naira, the cost of daily consumables remains stubbornly high, much to the dismay of consumers.
Christian Igwe, a foodstuffs vendor in Idimu, Lagos, acknowledged a decrease in the prices of noodles but emphasized that traders who purchased goods at higher prices cannot afford to sell them at a loss. He noted that the cost of a carton of noodles, previously sold at N9,000, has dropped to N6,000. However, Igwe explained that existing stock must be depleted before the reduced prices can be fully reflected.
In Isolo Market, Mr. Idris Adebowale, a wholesale food seller, shed light on the reasons for the continued high prices of tubers of yam. He attributed the situation to the off-season for planting, indicating that the current prices range from N2,500 to N3,000, compared to N1,500 a few weeks ago.
Food prices in Gombe metropolis have also been on a steady rise, affecting markets such as Baban Kasuwa, Kasuwa Tumfure, and Kasuwa Cross. Notably, grains and food items are sold in modules rather than derica measurements in these northern markets. For instance, garri is being sold at N950 per module, beans at N1,400 per container, yam at N1,500 per average-size tuber, and millet at N1,200. Traders have expressed their concerns, noting that these prices far exceed previous levels.
In Osun State, several markets within the Osogbo metropolis have also witnessed high prices for locally produced food items. At Oluode Market, a module of garri is priced at N1,200, while the cost of a bag of local rice has increased from N50,000 to between N55,000 and N57,000. The high cost of transportation from the North, where the bulk of pepper is sourced, has contributed to the sustained high price of this commodity.
Similarly, residents of Sokoto State have bemoaned the continuous rise in the prices of foodstuffs. A plate of white beans, which was previously sold at N3,000, now commands a price of N3,000, while a plate of garri has increased from N2,200 to around N2,500. Millet, a staple food in the region, has also surpassed the N2,000 mark.
Traders in various markets across Nigeria have called on the government to support farmers through accountable and transparent incentives. They emphasize the need for increased investment in agriculture and the provision of mechanized farming tools to enable farmers to boost food production. These measures are seen as crucial steps in addressing the persistent challenges posed by rising food prices.
Additional reports by Henry Falaiye, Chima Azubuike, Animasahun Salman, Bankole Taiwo, Tunde Oyekola, Bola Bamigbola, Chika Otuchikere, and Abiodun Nejo contributed to this article.
