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Residents of Abuja are increasingly struggling to cope with rising living costs, as a monthly income of ₦300,000—once considered comfortable—loses its purchasing power. Amid persistent inflation and rising fuel prices, many workers in the Federal Capital Territory say their salaries are now barely sufficient to cover basic needs, leaving little or nothing for savings. For civil servants and private sector employees alike, monthly earnings are largely consumed by fixed expenses such as rent, transportation, and food, forcing households into a cycle of financial strain. “We don’t really eat like before. Meat is now occasional. You plan meals like a budget document,” said Grace Utaru, a civil servant in Abuja. Another resident, Abdulrasak Babandede, who commutes from Suleja, described the situation as overwhelming. According to him, by the time rent and transport costs are settled, little remains from his income. The rising cost of housing remains one of the biggest financial pressures. In areas such as Lugbe, Kubwa, and Gwarinpa, annual rent for a modest one-bedroom apartment ranges between ₦800,000 and ₦1.5 million. When broken down monthly, rent alone can take up as much as 40 percent of a worker’s salary, excluding additional charges like agency fees and service costs. This is further complicated by Nigeria’s upfront rent payment structure, which places heavy financial demands on tenants. Experts say the widening gap between income levels and housing costs is driven by limited supply, high construction costs, and inflationary pressures. Transportation is another major burden. Workers commuting daily from satellite towns to business districts report spending between ₦40,000 and ₦60,000 monthly on transport, largely due to rising fuel prices. Energy costs also continue to climb. With unreliable public power supply, many households now spend between ₦30,000 and ₦70,000 monthly on electricity and generator fuel. Food inflation has added to the pressure. A family of four now spends between ₦120,000 and ₦180,000 monthly on food, forcing many households to cut back on protein and adopt cheaper meal options. Development economists warn that when essential expenses—housing, food, transport, and energy—consume the bulk of income, households are left with little capacity to save or withstand financial shocks. This comes despite recent government efforts to improve wages. In 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a ₦70,000 minimum wage, with a promise of periodic review. However, data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that inflation remains elevated, eroding real income and weakening purchasing power across the country. Analysts say unless inflation slows significantly and wages adjust accordingly, more urban households could slip deeper into financial vulnerability. The situation highlights a growing reality in Nigeria’s cities: earning what was once considered a stable income is no longer enough to guarantee financial security.

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