The rise in cost of food items has forced many families to adopt dire survival strategies, including reducing protein intake, switching to cheaper substitutes, and limiting purchases to essential items only.

Similarly, rising inflation and dwindling purchasing power have forced many families to adjust their consumption patterns, abandoning foreign goods and luxury food items for cheaper local alternatives.

Residents who spoke to Weekend Trust lamented the cost of basic foodstuffs rising beyond the reach of average households, leaving many to cut back on what used to be regular staples.A family man in Kano, Jamilu Sani, noted that items like Irish potatoes have become luxury foods in his home, and only affordable when salaries are paid.

“A worker who just collected his or her salary can afford to buy a basket for 8,000, but cannot afford it anymore.phile. Very few people buy it conveniently, these days, it’s no longer a commodity for all.” he said.

For, Mujibu Yakubu, a businessman, he noted that households have stopped buying foreign spaghetti due to its high cost.

“The local one costs about N650, while the foreign one is more expensive. As a result, many families have resorted to cheaper options in virtually everything, not just spaghetti,” he explained.

Abubakar Ibrahim added that fish and fruits have also slipped out of reach for many families.

“What you used to buy for N2,000 now costs N4,000. Apples that sold for N200 are now N1,000. Many people have stopped buying them. It is as if we are in the days of war,” he lamented.

For Samaila Rabiu, meat and eggs are no longer daily purchases. “Nowadays, I only buy meat when I have excess money, unlike before. Everything is now expensive, so we only buy what we can afford. The masses are suffering,” he said.

Similarly, in the Federal Capital Territory, residents note that rising living costs have forced many to cut down meals, take on extra work and abandon long term plans as incomes fail to keep pace with surging prices of foodstuff.

Across status and income levels, respondents noted feeding, transport and other basic needs now consume most of what they earn, leaving little or nothing for savings.

A civil servant, Avershima Num, said she has become more deliberate with spending as prices continue to rise.

Samuel Peter Awasku, a housekeeper, said he has reduced his daily meals due to rising cost of living.

“I used to eat three square meals, but now I eat two twice,” he said.

He noted that transport costs have increased sharply.

“Before I paid N300, but now it is N500,” he added.

He explained that his standard of living has declined.

A car dealer, Irfan Aseku Ahmed, said he has adjusted his feeding routine to cope with rising costs.

“I barely eat three meals daily now,” he said.

He said transport costs have doubled, affecting his movement.

“I was paying N800 before, now I pay about N1,400,” he added.

He noted that he has cut down on non-essential spending.

“We have dropped things like snacks and outings,” he said.

Ahmed notes, however, that the pressure of feeding is constant.

“Food is the hardest expense because it is something you cannot avoid or ignore,” he explained.

He added that the situation has forced him to adopt coping strategies.

“I have learned to contain my hunger,” he added.

A commercial driver, Essiet Joseph, said the situation has made it difficult for him to meet his daily obligations.

“It’s not easy. After paying for the vehicle, getting money for food is very difficult,” he said.

He said his daily contribution to household feeding has dropped.

“I used to give N7,000 or N8,000, but now, I don’t even have N5,000 to give,” he added.

Joseph said he often sacrifices his own feeding for his family.

“Most times I eat once, just to make sure my family eats,” he noted.

He explained that debts and operating costs are forcing tough decisions among household breadwinners and families.

“You wouldn’t consider what you eat, but consider how to survive,” he said.

At Wuse market, a fruit seller, Elizabeth Isa, said declining purchasing power has reduced sales and worsened household conditions.

“We hardly sell much these days. Things are very rough and difficult for everyone,” she said.

She said feeding her children has become increasingly difficult.

“I dropped 1,000 naira for four children to eat. They have to manage,” she added.

Isa said transport costs now determine many of her decisions explaining that even family visits are affected

“My transport is the hardest. I wanted to visit my brother’s wife, but I couldn’t because of transport,” she said..

She noted that savings have disappeared.

“The only saving I have now is feeding my children,” she explained.

.. Speaking on the cost of living crisis, residents in Ilọrin, Kwara State capital, said rising food prices have forced many households to abandon long standing eating habits, reduce meal portions and rely on cheaper alternatives to survive.

Mrs Tawakalitu Jimoh told Weekend Trust that feeding a family has become increasingly difficult as the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians continues to decline.

“The expenses on food are just over the roof now. Before, with a thousand naira from my husband, we could eat and still be satisfied, but now even N4,000 can’t go far, especially when there isn’t foodstuff at home”, she said.

According to her, foods once considered basic in many homes have become luxuries.

“Meat and chicken used to be regular in our house, but not anymore. What many of us run to now is soybean cake (beske) because it is what we can manage,” she said.

Also speaking, Pastor Peter Olawoore described the situation as one that has compelled families to alter both diet and lifestyle.

“Food items like tea and bread are now almost forgotten in many homes because of the cost of milk,” he said.

“A tin of milk is now about N1,000. Can you imagine that? We now replace tea with pap or even garri at times”, he added.

He said foods he once preferred have become too expensive to consider.

“I naturally prefer beans with plantain or yam, but that is now a no-go area because of the cost. Even semovita that used to be an alternative to pounded yam is no longer within reach.”

Olawoore said the hardship has extended even to foods once regarded as cheaper substitutes.

“We used lafun to replace yam flour before, but even that is becoming too expensive. A wrap of small amala is now around N200, and five may not even satisfy you because of the size”, he noted.

Lamenting the effect on household nutrition, he said many families can no longer afford protein sources they once took for granted.

“My father lived 120 years and despite doctors advice, we could still afford meat and chicken for him at that time. Even children at home do not enjoy the kind of food we used to have. Meat and chicken are rare now, and even the ponmo people turned to as an alternative is getting out of hand,” he said.

He added that many families are coping only through endurance and faith.

“The only thing keeping many people going is God’s grace and hope for divine intervention,” he said.

For Abraham Olufemi, who deals in fairly used products (Tokunbo), the crisis has changed the meaning of food choice entirely.

“It is no longer about eating what you want, but eating what is available,” he said. “And even what we call cheaper food today is not really cheap.”

He said many households now skip meals as a survival strategy.

“Most times now, we eat once daily and wait until night before taking something to bed. People are adjusting, but it is not easy”, he submitted.

In Benue State, residents have continued to express concern over the tough times tNigerians are currentlygoing through due to the high cost of living, which has forced many of them to scale down on essential items, especially food.

For Mrs Grace Hyacinth, a resident of the state, the cost of living has made life difficult for her household of seven and as such, has devised prudent financial means to meet their feeding needs.

“I have scaled down on our choice of food items. I used to feed my family pounded yam, but not anymore due to the high cost of yam. We now go for cassava flour at a relatively cheaper price,” she said.

Just like Grace, Elder Babs Usigbe, has also diversified, he said his family has diversified into alternative sources of income instead of scaling down on their needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing.

“We are now four in the house, as our grown children have left home, my wife now rears chickens for income, while I do various other things to generate money to maintain our lifestyle,” he said.

However, the story is different for Madam Ruth Ijachi, who has completely substituted her preferred food items for cheaper alternatives that can sustain her family for a longer period.

“For instance, I don’t have to rely on costly powdered milk for our beverage needs that would cost a minimum of N25,000 for just a week. I substitute it with millet – a custard container costs N1200, three of which provide daily breakfast for my family of four for at least amonth.” She said,

While Rejoice Ako said, “Times are really tough, I’m going through a lot. The high cost of living, accommodation issues, and transport costs have almost made life unbearable. I rely on side hustles just to survive as a civil servant.

“Feeding is really a struggle. I eat more vegetables in place of meat or fish, which are too expensive for my income. Sometimes, my family skips meals to save money for other necessities.”

Dorathy Sabo, a resident also said that due to the high cost of things, she has settled for alternatives as far as food items are concerned.

“I used to buy semovita flour but I have switched to maize flour which is cheaper. A custard rubber of maize sells for between N1500 ato N2000 while a rubber of cassava flake costs N1500 in addition to cost of grinding at N1000.

“This can take me two months which is way cheaper than semovita of N15,500 for a far lesser period,” Sabo posited.

Meanwhile, 10-year-old Michelle Ageva, said her mother no longer cooks noodles as part of the family daily meal in their home.

“My mum used to buy cartoons of noodles and cook for us usually in the morning or evening. But now she no longer buys or cooks it.. When I asked why, she said that it was becoming too costly for her to afford.”

For Comfort Ede, her family of five now goes without eggs which in the past formed a major component of their food while they alternate between meat and fish regularly in order to cut the costs of feeding.

She said, “When eggs sold moderately at even N150 each, I was still buying a crate or two. Now, just one egg sold at N300, I can’t continue to buy at that price because it will consume money for other condiments.

“As for fish and meat, what I do now is to alternate. Unlike before, I will use both and still buy stockfish for one pot of soup. Things are really difficult and for my family to eat enough, that’s how some of these food items are alternated or left out.”

In the same vein, Felicia Adum, a resident who prefered chicken for her stew now relies on cow skin (kpomo) for most of her meals, including stew and soup.

Adum said her family of three also relies on cassava flour now to eat with the soup instead of the semovita which they consumed for lunch or dinner in the past.

“Things are hard. So alternatives come into the choice of food we eat as a family,” she said.

In Niger State, residents say they have completely cut off some foods from their menus, while reducing the frequency of consuming others.

Usman Tswachi, a resident told Weekend Trust that instead of buying Bobo milk for his school-going children as he used to, his wife now prepares locally made drinks such as zobo for them daily.

He said he has stopped buying meat and now uses soya bean cake (awara)instead due to the high cost of meat.

“I have adjusted everything, including movement due to the cost of transportation. For instance, there are four weddings I ought to have attended this month but because of the cost of transportation, I just sent the money as my contribution to the families and cut it short. Also, visitation to friends and relatives have been reduced because of the cost of fuel. Most of my movement now is from my home to the office and back.

“This cost of living has also affected what children take to school. Instead of cooking food for them while going to school and coming back home to eat another one, I buy them snacks or biscuits worth N100 each because buying packs of noodles and packs of children drinks is beyond our reach now”, he said.

Also speaking, Hauwa Umar, a mother of seven, said they have stopped taking tea and bread, a regular staple for many homes in Nigeria because of the rising cost of bread. She notes that instead, they now take pap every morning, even though the children prefer tea.

“We did eat bread everyday before but we had to yank it off our menu. We used to cook three times a day but now we cook twice – morning and evening. We also cut out egg consumption because eggs are no longer affordable”, she said.

Also speaking, the District Head of Mayaki in Agaie LGA, Aliyu B. Abdulmalik, told Weekend Trust that he has adjusted how he eats in his home.

“To cope now, you don’t need to be told to adjust to the current economic realities. I have completely cut down on some foods I used to eat with my family. I have completely cut off the eating of egg, Basmati rice, Ccouscous and others. I used to take them at least 3 to 4 times a week if not more, but now, I have stopped eating them completely because the living conditions are tougher than they used to be”, he said.

However, Fatima Abdullahi Shaba told Weekend Trust that she now works harder through her petty business to support her family, even though she is yet to marry.

“Personally, I have learnt to save more, and a larger part of our household spending still goes into supporting my siblings’ school needs, which affects the feeding budget. But Alhamdulilah, I am grateful my Turban business has been a real support for me during this period even though patronage has dropped also”, she said.

In Bayelsa State, most families note that they skip meals to enable them to cope with the cost of living crisis being experienced by most homes in the country. Parents in Yenagoa, say that most of the time, their families skip breakfast for lunch because of the cost of living because most of the items used are highly expensive.

A mother, Mrs Laye Thankgod, said the cost of affording breakfast for her family of six, including herself and her husband is high, as the cost of beverages, milk, egg and bread have become extremely expensive as compared to her earnings as a civil servant.

According to her, everything is costly in Nigeria currently, including rent, transportation, school fees and even clothing, hence the little left of her salary, she managesproperly for feeding.

She explained that the upkeep money given to her by her husband on a monthly basis can’t buy most of the things she used to get about two years ago.

“Now, we eat what we see, as God will provide for us, we feed on it and move on with our lives. The truth of the matter is that we don’t stay hungry, and we have to give our children education, so we must not use all our earnings on food.

“Before now, we used to have three square meals, because things were a bit affordable, but now, we skip breakfast and my children understand with me. The beverage I used to buy N6000 and later N8000 is now over N20,000, a crate of egg that used to be between N3500 and N4000, now it’s N6000, a big load of bread is now N2000 or N2,200; the question is how much is my salary and that of my husband to cater for all these?

“So, we need to adjust , our secondary economy taught us about ‘scale of preference’ that is the only way to survive in Nigeria now, else you will be a perpetual debtor and people you are owing will begin to embarrass you. We are satisfied with the way God provides for us.” She said.

Also Speaking, Mrs Lovett Osor, said as somebody working in the private sector, and a single mother, she had to adjust her family needs to cope with the prevailing harsh economic reality.

She noted that she reduced items on in her breakfast list which were expensive, and even in other meal choices,, She says she doesn’t wait to get ingredients for a meal before she and her family eats.

“We may eat beans and potatoes in the morning or sometimes, commbine the beans with pap, just for the children to be lively in school, because the egg and milk is costly, so we adopt another source of protein which is beans.

Sometimes we miss lunch, after all during lunch time, children will be in school and I will be at work, then we all eat dinner together and go to bed, the children understand that when things were affordable, I used to give them the best based on my income.” she said.

A father, Mr Stephen Otode, a civil servant, noted that the only way his family survives now is that his wife manages the little he is able to provide for feeding; and thankfully, his wife deals in foodstuffs business, which has helped the family tremendously.

He also notes that most times, he sacrifices his meals for for his children to eat to their satisfaction. He also urged government to ensure that food items and other things are affordable for families to survive the economic situation.

In Borno, residents interviewed said the food inflation pressure has forced them to restructure their household diets.

For many, the decrease in purchasing power made them shift from healthy to cheaper and less nutritious options.

Aisha Abubakar, a housewife in the Bulunkutu area, said most people who can’t afford proteins now use Soya beans to prepare different nutritious meals.

“Before now, one could buy with N3,000 meat, vegetables, fish and prepare a rich meal for the family. But now, you need N10,000 or more to do that.

“That’s why people started shifting to cheaper staples. We now buy soya beans to prepare snacks like Awara and soya milk to supplement meat and milk,” she said.

Another housewife, Sa’adiyya Awan, said that many residents have resorted to flour in order to reduce cost.

“To reduce the cost of preparing meals, many households now find it easy to buy flour and prepare different meals. We use flour to make easy and cheaper foods like Danwake, Alkubus, Gurasa, and pancakes that we can just add some little ingredients like peppe, salt,seasoning and eat,” she said.

Tea sellers aren’t left out of the decline in patronage from customers as they seem to be the worst hit. They complained of rapid reduction in the number of people patronising their stands.

They also attributed the sudden customers reduction to the harsh economic hardship, while cost of tea spices, sugar and other ingredients had skyrocketed

Idris Mustapha, a tea seller in Bulunkutu said that many people have stopped patronising him.

“Unlike before, the number of customers who come here now prefers to do it at home, because the tea ingredients are vnow expensive, and customers aren’t willing to adjust.

“As it is now, customers can’t afford the rich taste of the tea because they can’t afford the charges. For those who still come just buy tea without milk and bread,” he said.

He said that many tea sellers have resorted to using artificial sweeteners (socrene) in order to satisfy the sugar taste of their customers.

For Ibrahim Dauda, who has been in the business for over 20 years at Gomari bus stop, Maiduguri, the economic situation is responsible for the decrease in the number of people patronising them

“People like tea, but they don’t have money to buy. Before now, with N300 one can drink tea with milk and bread, a mixture that even N1,000 can’t buy today,” he said.

“Two years I wouldn’t have had time for this interview by this time because of the traffic of customers coming to buy tea. But, look at it now, we spent over 30 minutes and only one person came to buy bread,” he said.

‘How poor diet affects you’

With families opting for less nutritious meals and many cutting off healthy meals completely from their family menu, nutritionists say this pattern increases the risk of chronic illnesses.

In a chat with Weekend Trust, a nutritionist, Dr Eze Ada, said irregular eating patterns and poor diet quality can weaken the immune system, reduce productivity, and increase the risk of chronic illnesses.

“When people skip meals, especially breakfast, they often compensate later with calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Over time, this disrupts metabolism and can lead to both undernutrition and obesity,” she said.

Dr Ada explained that while cheaper food options may provide temporary relief for strained households, they often lack essential nutrients needed for proper body function.

“Highly processed foods tend to be more affordable and accessible, but they are usually high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. This combination increases the risk of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, which are already on the rise in Nigeria,” she noted.

The expert added that children and pregnant women are vulnerable, as inadequate nutrition during critical stages of development can leave lifelong consequences.

She, however, advised against completely cutting off entire food groups, stressing that moderation and smart substitutions are key to maintaining a healthy diet even on a limited budget.

“People should not eliminate meals or essential food groups in the name of saving costs. The body needs a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals to function properly. What is more important is portion control and making healthier choices within one’s means,” she said.

Dr. Ada recommended simple, affordable substitutes that can improve diet quality without significantly increasing expenses.

“For instance, instead of relying heavily on instant noodles, households can opt for local staples like beans, sweet potatoes, or unprocessed grains, which are more nutritious and keep you fuller for longer. Replacing sugary drinks with water or natural fruit-infused water is another simple but effective step,” she explained.

She also encouraged incorporating locally available fruits and vegetables into daily meals.

“Seasonal fruits and vegetables are often cheaper and provide essential vitamins and fibre. Adding vegetables to soups, stews, or even simple meals can significantly boost their nutritional value,” she added.

According to her, maintaining regular meal patterns, even if portions are modest, is crucial for overall health and well-being.

“Consistency in eating habits helps the body regulate energy use, supports mental focus, and reduces the likelihood of overeating later in the day. Healthy eating is not about perfection but about making better choices consistently,” Dr. Ada said.

Inflation hurting families, economy – Experts

The rising cost of living, as well as inflation, has forced many families to spend a larger share of their income on rent and utilities, just as some opt for shared housing or relocate to more affordable neighbourhoods, while others negotiate lease terms or seek government-subsidised options.

Headline inflation figures for March 2026 showed a slight increase to 15.38 per cent, up from 15.06 per cent in February. The increase comes after months of consecutive decline.

However, food inflation remains elevated in the month under review.

Dr Ngozi Abi, a development economist, noted that inflation is the daily reality of Nigerian households who have to choose between a meal and transport fare.

“With food inflation still high and rent in cities like Abuja and Lagos climbing by triple digits in some neighbourhoods, families are forced into painful trade-offs. The middle class that once budgeted for savings and school fees now spend over 70 per cent of their income on food, energy, and shelter alone. This erodes long term planning and pushes more people into vulnerability.

“Food costs have climbed due to higher production and transportation expenses. Families are adapting by buying seasonal produce, shopping at local markets, and reducing waste through careful meal planning,” she said

On the implication on the economy, “The high cost of living also reshapes household behaviour in subtle but damaging ways. Parents are pulling children from private schools, skilled workers are taking second and third jobs, and small business owners are eating into capital just to keep operations running. When a bag of rice costs more than some people’s monthly income, inflation stops being economic theory; it becomes a direct threat to health, education, and social stability,” she added

Also, Bashir Aminu, a financial inclusion analyst, noted that the impact of inflation and high cost of living is severe at the bottom of the pyramid.

“For households earning between N50,000 and N100,000 monthly, a 25 per cent jump in transport or cooking gas prices means entire budget categories get wiped out. We are seeing increased reliance on informal credit and reduction in purchasing power.

“Also, Persistent inflation creates uncertainty that changes how people think about money. Households delay medical care, cut protein from diets, and avoid long term commitments like rent renewals, because they cannot predict next month’s prices,” he said

Speaking further, he stressed that “Until we address supply issues, boost local production, and stabilise the naira, cost of living pressures will keep weakening household welfare and slowing broader economic recovery,” (Daily Trust)

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