By LUCY OGALUE

Harsh economic conditions have forced many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to reduce their daily meals, with some households no longer able to afford three square meals.

Some residents said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

NAN reports that across parts of Abuja and its satellite towns, many families have adopted coping strategies such as skipping meals, reducing portion sizes, or relying on cheaper food options.

Mrs Maryam Silas, a mother of four living in Karu, said her family now ate twice a day to survive the harsh economic situation.

“We used to eat three times a day, but now we manage two meals. Food prices have remained high and income is not increasing.

“We have to manage the little income I make from mini business to eat and cater for other family needs,” Silas said.

Similarly, Mr Chinedu Okafor, a security guard residing in Gwagwalada, said feeding had become his biggest challenge.

“Sometimes, we eat only once in a day. After paying rent and transport, there is almost nothing left for food.

“My wife works as a cleaner in the same company where I work as a security guard and her income is also nothing to write home about.

“We have three children between the ages of four and nine and we are prioritising their education. Thus, very little is left after school fees for food in the family,” Okafor said.

A food vendor, Mrs Grace Danjuma, said many of her customers now buy food on credit or request smaller portions.

“People come and beg to buy food on trust. Some will say, ‘madam, manage this money for me and give me what the money can afford,” Danjuma said.

Students and young workers are also affected as Mr. Zachary Moses, a student of a tertiary institution in Bwari, who fends for himself, said he often skips meals to save money.

“If I eat breakfast, I may not eat again until night. Everything is expensive, more so, I try to save every penny that i can afford to save for rainy days,” Musa said.

An economist, Dr Abigail Bako, said the trend reflected the impact of inflation and low purchasing power on households.

“When people can no longer afford basic nutrition, it becomes a social and health concern. There is a need for targeted interventions to protect vulnerable households.

“There is a need for urgent economic relief and measures to stabilise food prices to prevent further deterioration in living standards across the FCT,” Bako said. (NAN)