With 2024 drawing to a close, residents of Ondo State are in a fix as to what shape the coming 2025 will look like, going by the strings of hardship faced by Nigerians in 2024 occasioned by the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

Most residents of the state are still grappling with the repercussions of an economically turbulent 2024, characterised by soaring inflation and challenging living conditions.

While expressing unethusiasm as per what the new year may bring, despite the assurance of the federal government of an improved economy in 2025, the residents advised that all must be done against policies that will further impoverish the people.

There was a sharp rise in the cost of living, with essential commodities becoming increasingly unaffordable for many families in the outgone year, particularly with food items, transportation costs, and utilities all witnessing astronomical price hikes.

In Akure, the state capital, markets such as Oja Oba, Nepa neighbourhood market, and Odopetu, among others that used to bustle, are now at the lowest ebb of market activities, with traders lamenting decreased sales.

According to a market trader at Oja Oba, Moji Ogedengbe, who prayed that things would be much better in 2025, her business almost hit the rocks in 2024 due to the fluctuating and increased inflation.

While expressing frustration with the development, she said, “My customers are buying less; they just can’t afford it anymore. We hope that things will change in 2025, but we need to see real action from the government.”

On her part, a resident of the state who is also a civil servant, Yomola Adu, was skeptical of the assurance by the federal government that there would be a turnaround, stressing that the people need urgent action that will reflect immediately in their lives.

“Promises are not enough. We need to see tangible changes. Changes like lower prices of commodities, better job opportunities, and more support for small businesses.”

“Things are just too tough. Families are going through a whole lot. The yuletide revealed everything. This is not how we used to celebrate Christmas. Everything was just too expensive. The high price of fuel also contributed to the situation.

Also, a public affairs analyst, Dare Olaitan urged both state and federal governments to prioritise the immediate needs of citizens in 2025, stressing that the stampedes that occurred in the last few days were due to hunger in the land.

“The impact of inflation on our daily lives cannot be overstated. It’s imperative that the government addresses the root causes of these economic challenges instead of merely offering reassurances.

“Nigerians are seriously hungry, and this has been confirmed by the stampedes that recently occurred in different parts of the country. Governments must quickly do something. We want to see a government that listens to the people. If not, the hardships we faced in 2024 will only continue.”