Skyrocketing Food Prices in Kaduna Dampen Christmas Spirits

Just 24 hours before Christmas, the residents of Kaduna are facing a harsh reality as the prices of cooking gas and essential food items have surged dramatically. The festive season, typically a time of joy and celebration, has taken on a somber tone as many struggle with the affordability of basic necessities.

Visits to markets across Kaduna, notably at Sheikh Abubakar Gumi market, reveal a stark increase in staple food costs. A 50kg bag of foreign rice, which was previously around N80,000, is now priced between N90,000 and N100,000. Similarly, the price of yams has seen an increase from N5,000 to N7,000 per tuber, with a set of five now costing N28,000. Other items like beans, garri, and noodles have also experienced significant price hikes. For instance, a local measure of eight cups of beans now ranges from N1,000 to N2,500, and garri has jumped from N1,300 to between N1,400 and N1,500 per measure. Even a carton of Indomie noodles has seen a slight increase from N7,500 to N7,700, while a basket of Irish potatoes now costs N6,000, up from N5,000 to N5,500.

The reasons behind these price escalations, as shared by traders, include the rising cost of goods at source and the increased expenses related to transportation. Monday Zango, a local trader, explained that he has had to adjust his selling strategy by only selling eggs by the crate at N6,000 to avoid losses from selling them individually. He noted, “The noodles and other goods I now buy, I have to make gains somehow in order to take care of my family and be able to pay for the renting of the shop.”

Residents of Kaduna are vocal about their frustrations with these rising costs. The sentiment is that the economic policies and security issues, including the high price of petrol, have directly impacted the affordability of food. Suleiman Adamu voiced a common concern, calling for a “revolutionary leader” with the political will to tackle these issues. He emphasized the need for leadership that prioritizes the welfare of the common citizen, warning that without urgent action, both Christians and Muslims would continue to suffer during what should be celebratory times.

Adamu’s lamentation encapsulates the broader sentiment: “Celebration by either Christians or Muslims is just a name because there is nothing for one to use to take care of the families. Nigerians are really suffering and there is nothing to pretend about it.” This Christmas in Kaduna, the joy of the season is overshadowed by economic hardship, leaving many to celebrate in spirit but not in substance.