Rising Food Prices, Transportation Costs Redefine Everyday Survival

In Nigeria, the cost of living has evolved beyond the mere price of goods bought by individuals. It is now directly influenced by the sacrifices they must make to afford these necessities. Aminat Hassan reports on this evolving scenario.

Christiana Bulus, a market trader from Dikko in Niger State, has observed a steady increase in the cost of her journey to Gosa Market. What once cost her N1,500 for transportation now demands roughly N3,500. This increase extends to carrying her goods to the market, adding to her expenses. For Bulus, reaching the market is not just about delivering goods; it's a calculation of expenditures before any profit can be made.

Even after covering higher transport costs, customer demand remains uncertain. "When prices of goods were low, we sold more and got enough gain, but now people don’t patronise much because the prices are high. People are hungry but there is no money to buy food," she notes.

These insights reflect a growing contradiction in Nigerian life: people require food, transportation, and other necessities, yet their ability to pay for these essentials is increasingly challenged by rising costs. Recent inflation data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that headline inflation moderated to 15.43 percent in July 2026 from 15.91 percent in June.

However, food inflation rose to 20.31 percent year-on-year in July from 17.52 percent in June. On a month-on-month basis, food inflation increased to 5.56 percent in July compared with 3.75 percent in June.

The figures may indicate a slowing overall price increase, but for households purchasing goods, the situation is more nuanced. A slower inflation rate does not necessarily mean prices have fallen; it may merely mean prices are rising more slowly. For ordinary Nigerians, the critical factor is how far their income stretches.

Salaried worker Aisha Bello in Abuja has noted that her income has not kept pace with the rising costs of daily necessities. Food now consumes a substantial portion of her income, and transportation costs have increased. She has reduced her consumption of certain foods and has limited her purchases outside the home. Even her choice of meals has shifted, and she often has to choose between buying food and fuel. Bello admits, "I cannot say I’m living the same way I was living a year ago."

Anthony Dorcas echoes this sentiment. He now buys smaller quantities of food or delays purchases until they are necessary. A year ago, his weekly food expenditure was significantly lower. Despite this, his salary has not increased at the same rate as the cost of living, leading to a reduced standard of living. Dorcas explains, "My salary has not increased at the same rate as the cost of living, so basically, my standard of living has reduced."

This struggle is not limited to consumers. Those responsible for transporting people and goods across the country face their own challenges. Commercial drivers like Chenidu Okafor have seen their operating costs rise with fuel, spare parts, and vehicle maintenance. Servicing, tyres, and engine oil now require more money, while passenger demand has decreased as financial struggles grow.

Okafor notes that increasing fares is not a viable solution, as some passengers may choose alternative transportation options. The result is that drivers may need to work longer hours to earn what they once made.

Commercial driver Ove Akao, who began his career in 2013, recalls a significantly cheaper fuel market from around 2015, when petrol cost between N90 and N100 per litre. Today, filling stations charge more than N1,300 per litre. This fuel price increase affects every aspect of the economy—from transportation costs to the selling prices of goods. As Okafo explains, "The price of fuel affects every aspect of the economy."

For business owners like Benedict Ogbonna, who has been in business since 1994, the rising costs of fuel and transportation have significantly reduced their profits. He estimates that fuel alone can cost about N50,000 a week. Ogbonna describes the situation as a matter of survival rather than profit. Fuel costs now consume a significant portion of their budget, leaving less for other expenses. He laments, "The money that we used to buy fuel and fuel our vehicles has become a major part of our operating expenses."