A recent report by Vanguard highlights the financial strain on Nigerians as prices for essential goods and services continue to soar, making it challenging for many to afford basic needs. This trend has left many struggling to make ends meet, with the rising cost of protein-rich foods creating a particular burden. Once a staple in many diets, protein is now becoming a luxury as more people struggle to even afford bread, let alone protein-rich accompaniments.
Dairy products and meats have seen staggering price increases, rising by over 100% compared to last year. Findings show that a kilogram of fish, depending on the type, now costs between N3,500 and N8,000, while a kilogram of whole chicken ranges from N9,000 to N12,000. Turkey laps are now sold at N8,000 per kilogram, while chicken laps go for around N6,000. The price of a crate of medium-sized eggs has also doubled, now costing between N5,200 and N6,000, compared to last year’s price of N2,000. Even cowhide, or kpomo, which was once very affordable, has seen its price soar to N700 for a thick, sizable piece—up from N20 to N50.
To meet their protein needs, some individuals have resorted to buying fish heads, often considered a byproduct, from cold storage facilities. In some Lagos cold rooms, fish heads with minimal flesh are sold in small portions priced between N500 and N1,000. According to Mrs. Shade Ayinde, a cold room worker, fish heads were initially reserved for those in food production, particularly seasoning manufacturers.
However, due to demand from individuals who can no longer afford whole fish, her workplace began portioning fish heads into smaller batches for sale.
Another fish vendor, Mrs. Grace Arogundade, shared her disbelief upon discovering that customers were purchasing fish heads for their own meals, not for pet food. Initially assuming the heads were for dogs, she kept some aside, only to later realize the harsh reality when she saw fish heads displayed for sale at the cold room for as much as N1,000. Arogundade expressed her sorrow, stating, “I wept because this was my first time witnessing such a thing, and I knew then that this country was in a dire state.”
Similarly, a woman named Racheal recounted her struggle to provide protein for her family. With five children to feed and her husband having left, Racheal purchases fish heads mixed with kpomo to add flavor to her soups and provide some protein. She noted that the high cost of whole fish, now exceeding N3,000, makes it impossible to feed her family for even two days, while fish heads, broken from their bodies during unloading, come with some flesh that makes them a viable option. Despite the challenges, she finds solace in knowing her children are healthy.
The report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) survey indicates that 63% of Nigerians, around 133 million people, live in multidimensional poverty. The survey further revealed that 65% of the poor (86 million people) reside in the northern part of the country, while 35% (47 million) live in the South. The MPI also highlights significant deprivations in sanitation, access to healthcare, food security, and housing, with many Nigerians relying on cooking fuels like dung, wood, or charcoal rather than cleaner energy sources.
A recent World Bank report titled “Turning the Corner: From Reforms & Renewed Hope, to Results” echoes these concerns, indicating that Nigeria’s poverty rate has risen to 46% in 2023, representing approximately 104 million impoverished people.
This marks an increase from 2018, when the poverty rate was 40%, affecting around 79 million Nigerians. The World Bank attributes this rise in poverty to sluggish economic growth and soaring inflation, which have collectively pushed an additional 24 million people below the poverty line over the past five years.
