What does Christmas look like in 2024? Is Rice and Chicken still feasible for Nigerians?

On May 29, 2023, there was a change of government in Aso Villa. This shift triggered a series of developments that caused the quality of life to plummet, plunging the country into hardship like never before. The current administration has implemented several policies that have caused the prices of everyday items to skyrocket, regardless of the intentions behind them.

Nigerians have been struggling to make ends meet, regardless of their wage bracket. Before this administration, some families could afford a carton of chicken, but now they can only afford one kilogram. However, it’s important to note that before this administration, some families could only afford 1 kilogram—so what will they be able to afford now?

Most food items have tripled in price, and employers aren’t increasing salaries accordingly, which has significantly reduced families’ and individuals’ spending power.

The holiday period is considered extremely important by Nigerians, each for their own reasons. For children, it represents a time when they can reasonably expect new clothes and enjoy the treats and goodies that come with the festive season.

For adults, it’s a time to relax and indulge themselves. However, the situation in the country is such that luxuries are far from the minds of the average Nigerian, as they focus on providing day-to-day meals for themselves and their families.

Nigerians abroad are not directly experiencing this hardship, but many will likely send resources to their relatives in Nigeria, and as such, will be aware of how quickly those resources are depleted.

Jollof rice and chicken are common dishes that Nigerians prioritize during this period, but even this has become food for the elite. Chicken is now priced between 15,000 and 40,000 Naira, depending on the type you want to buy. A bag of rice now costs more than 95,000 Naira, and even a small 5kg bag is now priced at over 9,000 Naira.

Of course, these figures may vary depending on your location, meaning that while some people might get these items slightly cheaper, others will pay much higher prices. This reality dictates the kind of Christmas celebrations you’ll see in most Nigerian homes.

First, children will likely have to say goodbye to new Christmas clothes, as the economic situation in most families makes it very difficult to afford even regular meals, let alone buy new clothes. Secondly, families will have to resort to buying much cheaper versions of the usual food items for the season, simply because they don’t want to go without them.

The other, and perhaps more worrying point, is that despite the high costs, rice and chicken remain among the more affordable food items in the market. Rice is still somewhat manageable, but chicken? Not so much. A 5kg bag of rice might suffice for a small family throughout the festive period. As for chicken, live chicken is definitely out of the question. Even 1kg of chicken is beyond the reach of many, though some might be able to squeeze out enough money for one or two kilograms.

Many Nigerians will do everything they can to have a memorable Christmas, and they should, because Heaven knows, we deserve it. We really do.