By Adenike Lawal
With Christmas and New Year around the corner, soaring food prices are dampening festive plans for many Nigerian families.
The cost of essential holiday items, particularly poultry, has surged, with chickens priced between ₦15,000 and ₦25,000 and turkeys as high as ₦130,000 in some markets.
In Abuja’s Utako and Wuse markets, local turkeys cost ₦85,000 to ₦130,000, while “agric” turkeys range from ₦110,000 to ₦140,000.
Sellers attribute the increases to rising transportation and feed costs, coupled with supply chain disruptions.
In Plateau State, chicken prices range from ₦8,000 to ₦25,000, while turkeys sell for ₦70,000 to ₦110,000.
Despite the festive season, sellers lament poor patronage caused by the high prices.
Other staples are also affected. A five-litre gallon of groundnut oil now costs ₦18,000, while 25kg bottles of popular brands like King and Golden Terra are priced at ₦100,000 and ₦95,000 respectively in Lagos.
The cattle market faces similar challenges, with cows selling between ₦700,000 and ₦1.5 million.
Malam Rabiu Muhammad, Chairman of the Cattle Market in Jos, noted a significant drop in sales due to unaffordable prices.
For many Nigerians, this festive season brings mixed feelings.
Civil servant Ohiare from Kogi State described it as a time of anxiety, while Mfon from Akwa Ibom emphasized gratitude for life amid the hardships.
