Amidst the alarming spike in food prices, many Nigerians are turning to innovative survival strategies just to put meals on their tables.
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The reality of budgeting for meals that cost over N1,255 per plate is pushing families to rethink traditional methods of cooking, shopping, and sharing meals.
Some parents are now embracing bulk-buying groups, pooling resources with neighbours, or returning to backyard farming to offset the high cost of market produce.
READ ALSO: World Food Day: Inflation-weary Nigerians begging, borrowing for survival
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The trend of repurposing leftovers and reducing food wastage has also taken on new importance in urban homes, while street markets and food vendors are seeing more creative forms of bargaining as buyers try to stretch their naira.
Ibe, Father of 4:
“Anything that I see, I eat now. My wife doesn’t even go for bulk buying anymore. The last time I went to the market, it was almost N500,000 for just rice and beans. From N180,000 that I used to take to the market before, it’s now N500,000.”
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Victor, Father of 3:
“Ha! I can’t afford to move like before anymore. I used to go to places like Mushin or the general market, but now, not anymore. I have to be buying things little by little. I’m trying to manage my money and balance things. Life isn’t just about food.”
Nike, Mother of 1:
“It hasn’t been easy. I think one way of coping is by buying only essential food commodities. Also, I try to buy food commodities from big markets that sell at cheaper rates.”
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Shade, Mother of 3:
“Please don’t even go there at all. It’s a little bit better for single people. You see people who have families; it’s been hell. Let’s not even talk about the amount we spend in a month. Nigerians are strong; we will surely survive it, Inshallah. If I see an opportunity to leave like this, I don’t think I want to come back to Nigeria.”
Temidayo, Mother of 5:
“With five children to feed, it’s been a real challenge. But we’ve been fortunate enough to have a strong community. Our neighbours have been sharing food, and we’ve started a community garden to supplement our meals. It’s been a lifesaver.”
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Itoro, Mother of 5:
“I’ve had to become a master of budgeting and meal planning. I make a detailed shopping list, buy in bulk when I can, and cook meals that stretch. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s helped us save money.”
Meanwhile, social media has become a hub for meal-planning tips, where Nigerian influencers share affordable recipe hacks for feeding a family on a shoestring budget. It’s not just about surviving, though. Many young Nigerians are finding ways to use food as a form of community-building, with food-sharing groups sprouting up in cities like Lagos and Abuja. These networks are bringing neighbours together to help one another navigate tough times, exchanging everything from plantains to tomatoes.
Though the statistics are grim, Nigerians’ resilience shines through in how they are adjusting their lifestyles and creating small pockets of hope in the face of an ongoing crisis.
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