Nigerians and consumers of goods and services generally have expressed disappointment with the soaring cost of foodstuffs in the country despite a vow by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, to crash prices.
Kyari gavea deadline of 180 days, promising that prices of food items would drop significantly.
But that remains unfulfilled. Africa Health Report (AHR) checks conducted around the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city show that residents are now facing crushing realities of prohibitive costs of foodstuffs as of Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
A cross section of residents interviewed by our correspondent shared their frustrations, expressing rage at the minister’s promise on price reduction.
While some called it a ‘scam’, others described the promise as ‘empty’ political gimmick as the anticipated crash turned out its very opposite.
AHR survey at the Dutse Alhaji market in Abuja, shoppers expressed their frustration with rising food prices.
Speaking, Madam Cecilia, a mother of three, lamented, “I had hoped that food prices would finally decrease. This is the harvesting season, yet we are paying over N10,000 for small five tubers of yams. New white beans used to cost between N800 and N1,200, but now they are selling for N2,500 per modu. Instead of prices dropping, they are on the rise. It’s irresponsible to make such promises.”
Bello Adamu, another market goer, shared his concerns: “Nothing has changed; prices are increasing every day. Before the declaration in July 2024, I saw Irish potatoes drop from N17,500 to N6,000 per waste bin. Now I came to buy for my family and I am told it has gone back up to N18,000. Even buying rice has become a luxury. We are struggling to feed our families. This is disappointing.”
An Economist, Dr. Isah Muhammed weighed in on the public failed expectations. “The promise was unrealistic given the ongoing economic challenges,” he told AHR.
Continuing, the Economist opined, “Supply chain issues, inflation, and other factors were overlooked. Simply declaring a price drop does not address the underlying problems.”
With a heavy heart and empty pockets, many Nigerians are left grappling with the daily reality of soaring food prices, countering the government’s assurances. As the deadline passes, hope turns to scepticism, leaving citizens questioning the credibility of future declarations.
