Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on households as many Nigerians struggle to keep up with the rising cost of food, transportation and other basic necessities.

A report by Daily Trust, drawing on accounts from Nigerians and wider economic conditions, highlights the continued difficulty households face as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

For many households, income growth has failed to keep pace with the cost of everyday living. Expenses that once consumed a smaller portion of household earnings now require greater financial sacrifices, forcing families to reconsider spending on everything from food to transportation and housing.

Housing remains part of the pressure

The cost-of-living challenge is closely connected to Nigeria’s housing problem.

As rents rise in major cities, households already dealing with higher food and transportation expenses have less disposable income available for accommodation.

For tenants, the challenge can be particularly severe when rent payments require large upfront commitments. Families may therefore have to move to cheaper neighbourhoods, share accommodation or accept longer commuting distances.

The result is a broader affordability problem in which the cost of living near jobs and essential services continues to rise.

Transport costs add to household expenses

Transportation is another major component of household spending.

When residents move farther away from employment centres in search of cheaper accommodation, they can end up spending more on daily transportation.

This creates a difficult cycle. Lower rent in an outer neighbourhood may be offset by higher transport costs, longer journeys and lost time.

For policymakers, this means housing affordability cannot be considered separately from transportation and urban infrastructure.

Election year puts living standards under scrutiny

With the 2027 elections approaching, economic conditions are likely to remain an important issue for voters.

The pressure on household budgets means that discussions around economic growth will increasingly be judged against people’s everyday experiences.

For many Nigerians, economic performance is ultimately measured by whether their income can cover food, housing, transport, healthcare and education.

The challenge for policymakers is therefore to translate broader economic improvements into tangible improvements in household purchasing power.

Housing policy needs a broader approach

The continuing cost-of-living pressure also reinforces the need for a more integrated approach to housing policy.

Increasing housing supply is important, but homes need to be located where people can access jobs, transport and essential services without facing excessive additional costs.

Affordable housing developments that are poorly connected to employment centres may solve one affordability problem while creating another through higher transportation expenses.

Nigeria’s housing strategy therefore needs to consider rent, construction costs, transport, infrastructure and household income together.

As the country moves toward the 2027 elections, the question will not simply be whether economic indicators are improving. For ordinary households, the more important question is whether those improvements are actually making everyday life more affordable.

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From Lagos to Ogun and Osun States, celebrants expressed frustration over rising costs. The price of basic goods such as tomatoes, pepper, and onions has surged dramatically, with traders attributing the increases to insecurity, transport disruptions, and logistics challenges. For instance, a crate of tomatoes that sold for ₦15,000 now costs up to ₦30,000, while a bag of onions has jumped from ₦72,000 to ₦120,000 in some markets.

Livestock prices also skyrocketed. Rams that previously sold for ₦150,000 are now priced at ₦250,000, with cows ranging between ₦600,000 and ₦1.5 million. Many families, unable to afford both, had to compromise. A Lagos-based celebrant shared that her family could only manage to buy a cow this year, unlike previous years when they also bought rams.

Transport fares rose sharply due to the holiday rush, particularly on intercity routes. For instance, a bus trip from Lagos to Osogbo jumped from ₦7,200 to over ₦10,000. Overcrowding and high demand only added to the stress. Some passengers reported uncomfortable conditions, including overcrowded buses and fluctuating ticket prices.

While some Nigerians opted to travel by rail, spurred by additional trains introduced by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), many still had to cope with long waits and high volumes of passengers. The NRC’s Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, and Warri-Itakpe routes witnessed record passenger turnouts, according to officials, who pledged continued service improvements.

Economist Prof. Tayo Bello blamed inflation for the spike in prices, noting that wage increases have not matched the rising cost of living. He criticized the floating exchange rate and urged the government to take a more active role in managing the economy, improving security for farmers, and investing in infrastructure to promote stability and reduce urban migration.

Despite the challenges, many Nigerians observed the Sallah rituals, though with fewer resources and more sacrifices. The celebration, for many, was more symbolic this year—a reflection of resilience amid economic hardship.

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This economic pressure, exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies, has left workers choosing between commuting and other essentials.

At the Federal Secretariat, many workers reported skipping work multiple days a week to save on transport costs, which often exceed N5,000 daily for those living in distant suburbs like Masaka. “How can we sustain this? Transportation alone takes nearly all my salary,” one worker lamented.

While the federal government announced plans to implement the new wage by the end of January, civil servants say they have yet to see changes in their salaries. “We’re told to wait, but the cost of living is unbearable,” another worker noted.

Some ministries have adopted informal arrangements to manage staff turnout while ensuring work continuity. However, the strain remains visible, with inflation and high fuel costs further eroding purchasing power.

Labour unions have called for annual wage adjustments to reflect inflationary trends, arguing that the traditional five-year review system is outdated. Trade Union Congress President Festus Osifo stated, “Why wait five years? Wages should reflect inflation annually.”

Civil servants are urging the government to fast-track wage implementation, regulate fuel prices, and stabilize essential goods to alleviate the hardship.

“This situation is unsustainable,” a worker concluded. “We hope the government acts soon to ease our suffering.”

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