Ramadan: Abuja Resident Faces 95% Spike in Food Prices

As the holy month of Ramadan dawns upon Nigeria, residents face an unexpected burden – skyrocketing food prices. A recent survey conducted in the bustling Abaji Main Market paints a grim picture: staple foods like rice, beans, yam, garri, and maize have seen an alarming surge in cost, with prices shooting up by a staggering 95%.

Gone are the days of affordable meals as traders exploit the solemnity of Ramadan, capitalizing on the already escalating economic challenges. Just a week ago, a mudu of rice fetched for N1,800, now demands N2,000, while beans, previously priced at N1,400, now come with a price tag of N1,600 per mudu.

The inflationary tide doesn’t stop there. A medium-sized yam tuber, once a budget-friendly N1,000, now sets buyers back N1,300, and a mudu of ground corn, once a staple at N900, now demands N1,200. Even bundles of yam, essential for many traditional dishes, have seen a shocking price hike from N75,000 to a staggering N115,000 for 50 medium-sized tubers.

But it’s not just the basics that are feeling the pinch. Essential ingredients for soups and stews, like palm oil, vegetable oil, Maggi cubes, and salt sachets, have all seen their prices soar by 95%.

As families prepare to observe this sacred month with fasting and prayers, they’re faced with the added burden of inflated prices, putting a strain on already stretched budgets. With no relief in sight, Nigerians brace themselves for a challenging Ramadan ahead, hoping for some reprieve amidst the economic turbulence.