N1,800 Fixed-Price Shop Draws Large Crowds in Abuja

A shop in Lugbe, Abuja, where most items are sold for N1,800, has attracted a growing number of shoppers looking for affordable household, school and personal items.

A visit by LEADERSHIP to the store on Sunday showed a rush of customers moving through the shop and queuing to select products they wanted to purchase.

The Chinese-owned store, known as Low Cost World, has become a talking point among residents of the Federal Capital Territory because of its wide range of products sold at the same price.

The retailer operates in different parts of Abuja, including Lugbe, where shoppers can browse shelves stocked with kitchen utensils, tableware, glassware, ceramics, toys, cosmetics, clothing, hardware tools and other household and office items.

At its Market Square outlet, located in the former ShopRite building in Lugbe, shoppers were seen moving between different sections of the store, picking up products and filling their baskets with items carrying the N1,800 price tag.

While most of the products are sold for N1,800, a small number of items are priced higher, with their individual prices clearly displayed.

One of the shoppers, Angela Adah, said she visited the Lugbe outlet to purchase school items for her children and kitchen utensils.

According to her, the fixed pricing was one of the reasons she decided to check out the store.

“I came mainly to get a few things for my children because schools will soon be demanding different items. When I got here, I also saw some kitchen utensils that I liked, so I started adding them to my basket,” she said.

Adah also noted that the uniform pricing could encourage shoppers to purchase more items than they originally intended.

“The N1,800 price looks small when you are picking one item, but when you pick ten or 20 things, you will realise that you have spent quite a lot. That is something shoppers have to keep in mind,” she added.

Another customer, Chinedu Okafor, said the wide variety of products was one of the major attractions of the store.

“You can come looking for one thing and end up seeing several other things you did not plan to buy. There are kitchen items, children’s things, decorations and many other products. The fact that most of them have the same price makes shopping interesting,” he said.

The growing patronage of the store comes as consumers continue to look for cheaper options across different categories of goods, with the fixed-price model giving shoppers the opportunity to find a variety of products under one price point.

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The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has backed Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, over his call for economic policies that would improve the earning capacity and living conditions of young Nigerians.

NYCN Lagos Chairman, Mr Adigun Ibrahim, made the position known in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, saying the council agreed that stronger incomes were essential to helping young people cope with rising housing and living costs.

Ibrahim said the challenge facing young workers extended beyond employment opportunities to whether their earnings were sufficient to support independent living. He noted that rent and other essential expenses were placing increasing pressure on young people whose incomes had not kept pace with the cost of living.

Hamzat had argued that improving the economy should include creating conditions that allow citizens, particularly young people, to earn more. He also pointed to the reliance of many young workers on parents and relatives for accommodation, especially at the early stages of their careers.

According to the deputy governor, controlling the cost of essential goods and services should be part of efforts to improve living conditions. The comments highlight the connection between household purchasing power and access to housing, particularly for workers attempting to establish independent households.

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Ibrahim said NYCN welcomed the emphasis on affordability but stressed that assistance from family members should serve as a temporary support system rather than a substitute for economic and housing policies that enable young people to live independently.

The council called for greater investment in affordable housing, improved wages, decent employment and economic programmes targeted at young people. It also advocated wider access to housing finance to help young workers obtain decent accommodation without placing excessive pressure on their incomes.

The issue has broader implications for Nigeria’s housing sector because housing affordability is closely tied to income levels and access to finance. Even where housing supply exists, workers may struggle to secure suitable accommodation when rents, transport costs and other household expenses consume a large share of their earnings.

For the mortgage and housing finance market, the NYCN position also points to the importance of creating financing options that reflect the realities of younger workers. Access to suitable housing finance can be difficult when income is low or unstable, limiting the ability of many potential buyers to transition from renting to homeownership.

Ibrahim said policies should not require young Nigerians to reduce their ambitions because of economic constraints. Instead, he argued that government and other stakeholders should work toward an economy in which young people can earn enough to pursue independent lives and meet basic needs.

The NYCN chairman commended Hamzat for connecting discussions about youth welfare with earnings, housing and broader economic conditions. He also reaffirmed the council’s willingness to work with the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders on measures aimed at improving economic opportunities and living conditions for young Nigerians.

The wider significance of the discussion lies in the relationship between employment, income and housing affordability. For Nigeria’s growing young population, sustainable access to decent housing will depend not only on increasing housing supply but also on creating economic conditions that give workers the purchasing power and financing capacity to afford it.

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Nigeria’s headline inflation rate is expected to continue easing in the coming months, although rising food prices remain a major source of pressure, according to analysts at Comercio Partners.

The outlook followed the latest inflation figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, which showed that headline inflation declined to 15.43 per cent year-on-year in July 2026, compared with 15.91 per cent in June.

The July figure represented the second straight monthly decline in headline inflation and the largest monthly moderation recorded so far this year. Analysts said the trend suggests that underlying price pressures across parts of the economy are beginning to weaken.

A key factor behind the improvement was the sharp decline in core inflation, which excludes some volatile items. Core inflation fell to 14.97 per cent in July, from 15.92 per cent in June, while the month-on-month rate dropped substantially to 0.15 per cent, compared with 1.66 per cent in the previous month.

Comercio Partners said the movement indicated weaker underlying inflationary pressure, supported in part by reduced exchange-rate volatility. The development could provide some relief for businesses and households facing higher costs, particularly in sectors that depend heavily on imported inputs.

Food prices, however, moved in the opposite direction. Food inflation increased to 20.31 per cent year-on-year in July, up from 17.52 per cent in June. On a monthly basis, food inflation also accelerated to 5.56 per cent, compared with 3.75 per cent in June.

The analysts linked the increase to constraints affecting agricultural supply, higher logistics and distribution expenses, seasonal influences and wider structural challenges within the food supply chain. They said these pressures are not issues that monetary policy can address on its own.

The divergence between food and core inflation is particularly relevant to household spending. Food represents a substantial portion of expenditure for many Nigerian households, making increases in food prices an important factor in the cost of living even when the overall inflation rate is declining.

Despite the increase in food inflation, several major expenditure categories recorded lower contributions to headline inflation during July. The contribution of food and non-alcoholic beverages declined from 6.37 percentage points in June to 6.18 percentage points in July.

Restaurants and accommodation also recorded a lower contribution, falling from 2.06 percentage points to 1.99 percentage points. Transport declined from 1.70 percentage points to 1.64 percentage points, while housing, utilities and fuels fell from 1.34 percentage points to 1.30 percentage points.

According to Comercio Partners, the combined decline in contributions from these four expenditure divisions represented about 75 per cent of the 0.48 percentage-point reduction in headline inflation recorded between June and July.

The figures also have implications for Nigeria’s housing and construction sectors. Housing-related costs are influenced by inflation through the prices of building materials, transportation, energy and other inputs, while higher living costs can affect households’ ability to save for home purchases, meet rent obligations and service mortgages.

For developers and construction companies, a sustained moderation in underlying inflation could improve cost forecasting and financial planning. However, continued food-price increases could keep pressure on household budgets and limit the amount of income available for housing and other long-term spending.

The July data therefore presents a mixed picture for the wider economy. While easing core inflation and reduced exchange-rate volatility point to moderating price pressures, persistent food inflation remains a significant challenge for households and businesses.

For the housing and infrastructure sectors, the direction of inflation will remain important because changes in prices affect construction costs, household purchasing power, project financing and the broader affordability of housing.

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Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are beginning to enjoy some relief as the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has declined after months of sustained increases.

A market survey showed that LPG now sells for between N1,498 and N1,650 per kilogram across Abuja, depending on location and retail outlet, compared to recent highs of about N2,000 per kilogram recorded in several parts of the country.

The price reduction means that refilling a 5kg cylinder now costs between N7,490 and N8,250, while a 12.5kg cylinder costs between N18,725 and N20,625. At the peak of the recent price surge, the same cylinders cost approximately N10,000 and N25,000 respectively.

Despite the decline, some roadside vendors still sell cooking gas at prices as high as N1,850 per kilogram.

Industry experts attributed the price drop to improved product availability and easing wholesale costs but warned that long-term stability depends on addressing structural challenges in Nigeria’s LPG market.

Energy economist, Dr. Dayo Abegunde, said the reduction reflects improved supply conditions but noted that Nigeria remains vulnerable to global market shocks because a significant portion of domestic LPG consumption still depends on imports.

“The recent decline is encouraging for consumers, but Nigeria must deepen domestic production and strengthen its supply chain to avoid recurring price spikes whenever there are disruptions in the global market,” he said.

Oil and gas analyst, Edward Bulus, also stressed the need for increased domestic refining and retention of locally produced LPG within the Nigerian market to guarantee sustainable price stability.

LPG marketers confirmed that improved supply at coastal depots and a gradual decline in wholesale prices have contributed to the moderation in retail prices.

An Abuja-based LPG marketer, Bassey Etanem, said increased product availability is gradually filtering through the distribution chain, resulting in lower prices for consumers.

Retail operators in Abuja also attributed the decline to growing competition among filling plants as supply conditions improve.

However, marketers warned that transportation and logistics costs remain high, particularly for operators supplying inland locations, adding that investments in storage and distribution infrastructure are necessary to sustain lower prices.

Many consumers welcomed the reduction but argued that cooking gas remains expensive compared to previous years.

Some residents said they were forced to switch to charcoal and firewood when LPG prices approached N2,000 per kilogram.

A trader, Grace Bade, called on the government to implement measures that would further reduce the cost of cooking gas and ease the economic burden on households.

The recent price moderation follows intervention measures announced by the Federal Government to address supply shortages and market manipulation.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), regulators and security agencies to intensify surveillance of the LPG market, investigate hoarding and diversion, and sanction operators found manipulating prices.

The minister said the government remains committed to increasing domestic LPG supply, reducing dependence on imports and ensuring that locally produced gas is prioritised for domestic consumption.

He also disclosed plans for a local LPG blending initiative involving Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), indigenous producers and operators of the Port Harcourt LPG plant to improve supply reliability and reduce logistics costs.

The NMDPRA had earlier linked the spike in cooking gas prices to global supply disruptions, exchange rate pressures, logistics bottlenecks and market inefficiencies.

Industry stakeholders, however, maintain that sustained affordability will depend on expanding domestic production, improving infrastructure and strengthening distribution networks across the country.

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The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has projected that the retail price of cooking gas could fall to between N900 and N1,100 per kilogram by the end of 2026 if the federal government implements reforms aimed at boosting supply and reducing costs across the value chain.

President of NALPGAM, Mr. Edu Inyang, made the projection during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, noting that although Nigeria has recorded significant growth in local Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) production, persistent supply chain challenges continue to keep prices elevated.

According to him, cooking gas, which sold for between N900 and N1,000 per kilogram in April, currently costs between N2,000 and N2,500 per kilogram in many parts of Lagos.

Inyang disclosed that Dangote Refinery and Nigeria LNG (NLNG) supplied about 87 per cent of Nigeria’s domestic LPG market in 2025. However, he explained that Dangote Refinery later clarified that much of its LPG output was earmarked for the production of higher-value products rather than the domestic cooking gas market, resulting in supply disruptions.

He noted that despite increased local production, several producers are still operating below installed capacity, leaving rising consumer demand unmet.

According to him, inadequate storage facilities, high transportation costs, foreign exchange challenges and multiple handling charges within the supply chain remain major contributors to high retail prices.

He further observed that LPG storage infrastructure is concentrated mainly in Lagos, the Edo/Delta axis and Port Harcourt, resulting in higher distribution costs, especially for northern states.

“Local production growth is encouraging, but consumers will not fully benefit unless bottlenecks in logistics, depot capacity, trucking and market access are addressed,” Inyang said.

The NALPGAM president also identified speculative trading, excessive intermediary margins and temporary product hoarding as factors contributing to periodic price distortions and artificial scarcity.

To improve affordability, he called for stronger market surveillance, greater transparency in product allocation and pricing, and stricter enforcement of fair competition across the LPG value chain.

Among the reforms proposed by the association are prioritising domestic LPG supply over exports, improving access to foreign exchange, reducing regulatory bottlenecks, expanding clean cooking support programmes, investing in storage infrastructure and introducing tax incentives for investors.

“With adequate domestic supply, improved infrastructure, exchange-rate stability and supportive government policies, the industry can achieve a more affordable and stable pricing environment,” Inyang stated.

He, however, cautioned that the projected price range should be viewed as a target rather than a guarantee, as global energy prices and exchange rate fluctuations would continue to influence the market.

Meanwhile, the federal government has assured Nigerians that LPG supply remains stable despite recent increases in cooking gas prices.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, attributed the price surge to foreign exchange volatility, rising logistics costs, infrastructure limitations and movements in international LPG prices.

He reiterated the government’s directive that all LPG produced in Nigeria should first be prioritised for domestic consumption before exports, describing the policy as critical to improving local availability and reducing import dependence.

Ekpo also directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to strengthen collaboration with industry stakeholders to improve supply coordination and prevent market disruptions.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that the average price of refilling a 5kg cylinder rose by 13.73 per cent from N7,655.73 in March to N8,706.93 in April, while the average cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder increased by 13.89 per cent from N19,652.83 to N22,382.20 during the same period.

Industry stakeholders maintain that with sustained reforms, improved infrastructure and increased domestic production, Nigeria’s LPG market could witness greater stability and more affordable prices for consumers in the coming years.

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Abuja has emerged as the most preferred relocation destination for Nigerians seeking better opportunities and improved family wellbeing, despite growing concerns over high rents, rising living costs and electricity challenges, according to a new report by SBM Intelligence.

The report, titled “Where Nigerian Families Actually Thrive,” evaluated quality-of-life indicators across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and seven states, including Anambra, Bauchi, Cross River, Kano, Lagos, Oyo and Rivers.

The study assessed key factors influencing family wellbeing such as income levels, housing affordability, healthcare, education, safety, infrastructure and social support systems.

Abuja Leads as Nigerians’ Preferred Relocation Destination

According to the report, Abuja recorded 65 mentions from respondents who indicated they would relocate from their current locations if given the opportunity, making it the most desired destination nationwide.

Lagos followed with 42 mentions, while Anambra, Enugu and Uyo received 11, seven and six mentions respectively.

SBM Intelligence noted that the findings reveal a clear pattern, with many Nigerians viewing Abuja as the city that offers the best prospects for their families.

The report attributed Abuja’s appeal largely to its status as Nigeria’s seat of government, its perceived economic opportunities, and its reputation for order, security and stability.

“Abuja is where Nigerians across all regions want to move for their children’s sake,” the report stated.

Abuja’s Reputation Differs From Residents’ Reality

Despite its popularity among prospective movers, Abuja ranked only fourth overall in the report’s composite quality-of-life index.

With a score of 2.97 out of five, the Federal Capital Territory trailed Kano (3.92), Rivers (3.29) and Oyo (3.09).

SBM Intelligence described Abuja as a city whose image often differs from the realities experienced by residents.

“The irony is instructive,” the report noted, highlighting the gap between Abuja’s attractiveness and its actual quality-of-life performance.

Abuja Records Highest Income Levels

One of Abuja’s strongest advantages remains income generation.

The report found that the FCT achieved the highest income score among all locations surveyed, recording 3.16 out of five.

More than 41 percent of respondents reported earning between N500,000 and N999,999 monthly, while nearly 10 percent said they earned at least N1 million per month.

However, researchers observed that higher earnings do not necessarily translate into financial security for many households.

According to the findings, a significant portion of residents’ income is consumed by housing, transportation and utility costs, leaving limited room for savings or emergency expenses.

Housing Costs and Affordability Remain Major Challenges

The report identified affordability as one of Abuja’s weakest areas.

On housing affordability and the general cost of family living, the city scored 2.25 out of five, ranking behind Kano, Rivers and Oyo.

The findings align with increasing concerns about the cost of living in Nigeria’s capital, particularly the rapid rise in residential rents.

SBM Intelligence referenced a separate 2026 study indicating that a monthly income of N300,000 is becoming increasingly inadequate in Abuja, with rent alone consuming up to 40 percent of earnings for many workers.

Residents Express Low Confidence in Electricity Supply

The report also revealed growing dissatisfaction with electricity supply in the FCT.

Only 19 percent of Abuja residents surveyed expressed confidence that power supply would improve within the next two years—the lowest optimism level recorded among all locations studied.

SBM Intelligence described this as a significant indication of public concern regarding one of the capital’s most persistent infrastructure challenges.

Abuja Remains Nigeria’s City of Aspiration

Despite affordability pressures, rising rents and concerns over electricity supply, Abuja continues to be viewed as Nigeria’s leading city of opportunity.

SBM Intelligence concluded that while the capital may not currently offer the highest quality of life, it remains the destination many Nigerians believe provides the best future for their families.

The report described Abuja as “the aspiration, not the reality,” underscoring the gap between perception and everyday experiences.

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Millions of people in the United Kingdom are expected to benefit as the government begins consultations on suspending tariffs on more than 120 everyday essential items.

The UK government announced on Wednesday that the products covered under the proposed policy have been published, building on the tariff suspension initiative first introduced in April.

The list of 125 items includes garlic, avocados, mangoes, nectarines, vegetable oil, chocolate, sauces, soft drinks, fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil and baked beans.

Authorities said the government would engage businesses and other stakeholders before implementing the plan, while also increasing mileage rates for about three million people who use their personal vehicles for work purposes.

The government is equally seeking public and industry input on whether suspending tariffs on certain fertilisers could help farmers manage rising production costs linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said the administration was introducing measures to cushion the impact of global economic pressures and keep household prices under control.

According to Reeves, the fuel duty freeze, increase in mileage rate — the first adjustment in 15 years — and temporary VAT reductions form part of broader efforts to ease financial pressure on residents and businesses.

She noted that the relief measures recognise the exposure of farmers and transport operators to high fuel costs and their critical role in maintaining supply chains across the country.

“We are a government firmly on the side of drivers, and that means acting when hardworking people are being left out of pocket,” Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.

The government said the proposed tariff suspension is expected to lower import costs, reduce pressure on food prices and support economic stability amid global inflation concerns.

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Residents living in gated housing estates across Lagos are grappling with steep increases in electricity bills as estate operators struggle with rising diesel prices and worsening power supply from Nigeria’s national grid.

Across several estates, electricity tariffs have more than doubled within months, leaving many residents frustrated over mounting living costs despite paying premium housing fees for stable utilities and improved infrastructure.

Management notices issued within different estate communities revealed that some operators increased electricity tariffs from about N360 per kilowatt-hour to over N480/kWh within a short period, while others reportedly raised rates as high as N755/kWh.

One estate management attributed the latest tariff adjustment to the rising cost of diesel, which it said had climbed from below N1,000 per litre to over N2,000 per litre.

The development has triggered widespread complaints among residents who say the financial burden is becoming unsustainable.

“My estate just increased the tariff to N755/kWh. This is insanity,” one resident wrote in a social media post that gained attention online.

Another resident questioned the high cost of electricity within a private estate despite steady supply.

“Why is it N50,000 a day for 24 hours of light?” the resident asked on X, formerly Twitter.

The rising tariffs are linked to growing dependence on diesel-powered central electricity systems within estates, following persistent failures of the national grid.

Most gated estates in Lagos operate shared generator systems that combine electricity from public distribution companies with diesel-powered backup generation.

Under the arrangement, public electricity supply helps reduce overall energy costs while diesel generators serve as supplementary sources during outages.

However, estate operators say the situation has worsened as grid supply has dropped significantly in recent months.

According to notices circulated among residents, some estates now receive less than 40 per cent of their required electricity supply from the public grid, forcing operators to rely heavily on diesel generators for daily power distribution.

With diesel prices currently hovering around N1,900 to N2,000 per litre, operators say sustaining electricity generation has become increasingly expensive.

The impact is particularly severe for middle-class households that moved into private estates to escape unreliable public electricity supply.

For many families, monthly electricity bills now rival rent or school fees.

A household consuming about 300 kilowatt-hours monthly could now spend between N150,000 and N226,500 on electricity alone, depending on the estate tariff structure.

Some estate operators have also introduced minimum monthly electricity purchases, requiring residents to buy tokens worth at least N50,000 regardless of actual usage.

Operators argue that the policy is necessary to maintain steady cash flow for diesel procurement and maintenance of central power systems.

Residents, however, describe the requirement as an additional financial burden amid rising inflation and increasing living costs.

Estate management firms maintain that the tariff hikes are driven purely by operational realities rather than profit motives.

Several management notices reviewed indicated that tariffs could be reduced if diesel prices decline or public grid supply improves.

One notice stated that any improvement in market conditions would lead to a downward review of electricity charges for residents.

The crisis highlights the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector, where decades of underinvestment in generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure continue to undermine reliable electricity supply.

Distribution companies operating within Lagos have also struggled with financial and operational limitations, further reducing stable power delivery to residential communities.

Private estate operators initially relied on diesel-powered electricity systems as a temporary solution to supplement public supply.

However, rising fuel costs and persistent grid instability have transformed what was once a manageable alternative into a major economic challenge for both operators and residents.

Analysts say unless national grid performance improves significantly or diesel prices reduce, electricity costs within private estates are likely to remain unstable, placing additional pressure on urban households already struggling with rising inflation and utility expenses.

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The International Monetary Fund has warned that Nigerians may face more difficult economic conditions in the coming months as rising food and transport costs continue to strain household incomes.

The warning was issued by the IMF’s African Department Director, Abebe Selassie, during a briefing at the ongoing Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF in Washington, D.C.

Selassie said global shocks, including geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, are already driving up the cost of living across Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria among the hardest hit.

According to him, transportation costs have surged significantly, affecting both urban and rural populations and pushing food prices even higher.

“The immediate effect will be pressure on food security and transportation, which will ultimately raise the cost of food,” he said, noting that many households are already feeling the impact.

He added that the rising cost of living is making daily survival increasingly difficult for Nigerians, as inflation continues to erode purchasing power.

Despite these challenges, the IMF noted that Nigeria could benefit from rising crude oil prices, with key grades such as Brass River and Qua Iboe trading above $113 per barrel—well above the $60 benchmark in the 2026 budget.

Analysts say the surge in oil prices, driven by tensions in the Middle East and uncertainties around U.S.-Iran relations, could boost government revenue in the short term.

However, the IMF cautioned that the potential windfall may not translate into broad economic relief, as structural challenges and debt obligations remain significant.

The Fund projected that Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio will rise to 33.1 percent by 2027, highlighting concerns about fiscal sustainability despite a slight downward revision from earlier estimates.

Data from the Debt Management Office shows that the country’s total public debt rose to ₦159.27 trillion as of the fourth quarter of 2025.

On policy direction, the IMF advised the government to maintain ongoing economic reforms, improve revenue generation, and prioritise critical spending.

Selassie stressed that abandoning reforms could worsen the situation, warning that inconsistent policies may derail long-term economic stability.

He also emphasised the need for stronger domestic revenue mobilisation, improved tax efficiency, and better public spending management.

In addition, the IMF warned against broad-based subsidies, describing them as costly and difficult to sustain, while urging policymakers to adopt targeted interventions that protect vulnerable populations.

Experts have also raised concerns about Nigeria’s fiscal outlook, noting that while the debt-to-GDP ratio appears moderate, the country’s limited revenue base poses a bigger risk.

They argue that a large informal economy and weak tax collection reduce the government’s capacity to service debt effectively.

Economic analysts further warned that higher oil prices could lead to increased fuel costs domestically, especially as the government maintains its stance against fuel subsidies.

This, they say, could worsen inflation and deepen economic hardship for millions of Nigerians already grappling with rising living costs.

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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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