As Christmas 2024 approaches, an unprecedented wave of economic hardship is forcing Nigerian families to make difficult choices between tradition and survival. With food inflation soaring above 40 percent in Abuja alone, many households are going to bed hungry, while others struggle to maintain even a shadow of their usual holiday celebrations.
The harsh reality is evident in markets across the nation's major cities. At Mile 12 International Market in Lagos, trucks laden with tomatoes, peppers, and vegetables create an illusion of abundance. But behind this facade, a complex web of challenges drives prices ever higher. Truck owner Shehu explains the brutal mathematics of food distribution: "We spend between N500,000 and N800,000 per truck on diesel, farm security, and checkpoint fees before reaching Lagos. It's suffocating us, but we have no choice."
The impact on everyday items is staggering. A chicken that cost N15,000 last year now sells for N35,000, with only older layers available at the previous year's price. "What will that do for my family?" asks Mummy Somto at Agric Market in Ikorodu, her voice heavy with frustration. "We have never seen it like this in Nigeria. I hope this hope is the hope."
The ripple effects touch every aspect of daily life. At Daleko Market, the prices tell their own story: a 25-liter container of vegetable oil sells for up to N95,000, while garri reaches N56,000. Even basic ingredients like curry and thyme now cost N550 per roll, and a single small onion bulb commands an astronomical N200. Mrs. Bukky Osagie, a rice vendor at Mile 12, watches as customers increasingly opt for half bags instead of full ones. "Last December, a bag of rice was between N65,000 and N70,000. Today, it starts from N95,000. How do people survive this trend?"
The traditional journey home for Christmas, a cornerstone of Nigerian cultural life, has become an impossible luxury for many. In Kaduna, Nonye Juliet calculates the painful math of her journey to Owerri: last year's round trip of N100,000 has risen even higher. The situation is even more dire for air travelers, with fares seeing a staggering 218 percent increase since June. A one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now costs between N220,000 and N285,000, forcing many to abandon air travel entirely.
Those who must travel by road face their own challenges. A journey from Abuja to Lagos that previously cost N28,000 now demands up to N60,000. At Jabi Motor Park, trader Emeka Uzo observes the impact: "People are no longer travelling as much. Even buses are going half-empty because of the cost of tickets."
Families are adapting in various ways. In Benin City, Mr. Uche Isaac, a commercial driver, breaks with tradition: "I have never spent Christmas outside my village, but this time, I will celebrate it in Benin City." With transportation costs of over N200,000 for his family of seven, he's chosen to use the money for rice and meat instead. Victor Okechukwu from Imo State plans to travel alone, breaking his journey through Onitsha to save costs. "Life will continue after the yuletide celebration," he reasons.
The Federal Government has attempted to ease the burden with initiatives including 50 percent rebates on transport fares, free Compressed Natural Gas bus services, and free train transportation in Abuja. However, these measures provide little comfort to families like Miriam Jagaba's. Shopping at Utako Market with her four children, she laments, "Last year, I bought a bag of rice for N75,000, but now it's almost double. It's heartbreaking."
Yet, amidst the hardship, the spirit of celebration persists. At Daleko Market, Mrs. Hannah captures this resilience: "Whether the devil likes it or not, we will celebrate with our families and share love during this season. We will just have to adjust our spending according to our means." In Ilorin, Mazi Joseph, a shoemaker, maintains that some community events cannot be missed, regardless of cost. "This is not new," he reflects. "Things have always been expensive, even though this year is different in dimension and progression."
As Christmas 2024 approaches, this season of joy has become a testament to Nigerian resilience, with families finding ways to preserve the spirit of celebration even as they adapt to unprecedented economic challenges. While traditional homecomings may be muted and feasts scaled back, the determination to maintain family bonds and cultural traditions remains unshaken, even if through more modest means or remote connections.
