By Wilson Precious Irene
Many families in Nigeria have gone from enjoying three square meals a day to struggling to afford even a single meal. As the prices of food and other basic necessities continue to rise, many households are being forced to adjust their eating habits simply to survive.
When Mrs. Grace received her salary, she divided it into two parts: one for savings and the other for buying foodstuff for her family. She planned to go to the market the following day, expecting that her ₦50,000 would be enough to purchase foodstuff to sustain her family of four for the month. However, things did not go as planned. As she moved from one shop to another, asking about prices, she discovered that the cost of many items had increased. With her ₦50,000, Mrs. Grace could no longer afford all the basic items her family needed. She had to remove some items from her shopping list because they were either too expensive or beyond her budget. The experience served as a reality check, showing her just how difficult it had become for families to afford food.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s year-on-year food inflation rate fell from 26.20 per cent in July 2025 to 20.31 per cent in July 2026. However, a decline in the inflation rate does not necessarily mean that food prices have returned to their previous levels. Many households still struggle to afford basic food items such as rice, garri, beans and cooking oil because the cost of living remains high.
The crisis is not affecting parents alone; children are also feeling the impact. Some families can no longer provide balanced meals for their children because food has become too expensive. Protein-rich foods such as eggs, fish and meat are sometimes removed from meals so that families can afford more filling foods like garri and rice. Although these foods can help satisfy hunger, reducing the variety of foods in a person’s diet can affect proper nutrition.
Students living far away from home are also affected. For some, garri has become a regular meal because their limited funds are not enough to buy other foods. Instead of eating a proper meal before going to class, they may have to settle for garri because it is what they can afford. This situation makes it difficult for students to balance their academic responsibilities with the basic need to eat well.
In a report published by NewsNGR on August 24, 2026, economist Ephraim Audu, President of the Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI), said that declining headline inflation had yet to ease the pressure of food prices on Nigerian households. His observation reflects the difficulties many families face as they struggle to afford food and other basic necessities.
As Nigeria feels the heat of rising food prices, the problem extends beyond the market to the cost of transportation, which has become another burden for many Nigerians. From rising fuel prices to increasing transport fares, the cost of moving from one place to another continues to put pressure on people’s daily budgets. This affects both vehicle owners and passengers who depend on public transportation.
For students living off campus, the situation can be particularly difficult. They are already struggling to provide for their feeding and other basic needs, yet they must also find money to travel to lectures and return home. Workers, tenants and other commuters face similar challenges. Transportation, which was once an ordinary part of everyday life, is becoming increasingly difficult for some Nigerians to afford.
The increase in fuel prices has added to this transportation burden. According to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, the average retail price of petrol rose from ₦1,027.76 per litre in May 2025 to ₦1,596.25 per litre in May 2026, representing a 55.31 per cent increase within one year. These figures are national averages, meaning that actual prices may vary depending on the location and filling station.
Higher fuel prices can contribute to rising transportation fares, placing additional pressure on both drivers and passengers. For Nigerians who depend on public transportation, the cost of getting to school, work, markets and other destinations means that more of their money must be spent on transportation. Consequently, students, tenants, workers and other commuters are left with less money to meet their remaining needs.
The rising cost of food and transportation is becoming a serious concern for Nigerians. Today, ₦50,000 may not be enough to sustain a person for a month, especially when feeding, transportation and other basic needs are considered. The purchasing power of the naira has weakened, making it increasingly difficult for many people to afford things they once considered necessities.
As prices continue to rise, families are forced to make difficult choices about what to buy, what to eat and how to spend their limited income. For many Nigerians, the struggle is no longer just about living comfortably; it is about meeting basic needs and making their money last. Until the pressure of rising food and transportation costs eases, many households will continue to feel the heat.
