Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are struggling to afford basic foodstuffs due to skyrocketing prices, with beans and yam becoming luxury items. This inflation has forced many families to alter their meal plans and reduce dietary variety.
In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), several residents expressed their distress over the soaring food costs. Mrs. Glory Ocholi, a mother, highlighted the drastic increase in bean prices, which has disrupted her family’s nutrition plan.
“Previously, I could buy 10 mudus of white beans for between N9,000 to N10,000, but now, white beans cost N2,800 per mudu, and red beans are priced between N3,000 to N3,500. Yam, Irish potatoes, and sweet potatoes are also very expensive, affordable only to the wealthy,” Ocholi said. “We can no longer buy corn, sorghum, or even vegetables. Our children eat whatever we can provide.”
Ocholi added that high food costs have forced her to eliminate meals like ‘akara’ and pap, which were once a Saturday morning staple.
Mr. Habila Makama also shared his frustration, noting that his household can no longer afford many foods they once enjoyed. “We used to supplement yam with sweet or Irish potatoes, but now, none of these are affordable. Rice has become our mainstay, despite its cost,” he explained. “We eat rice daily and occasionally substitute it with available swallow and affordable soup.”
A NAN correspondent reported that at Dutse-Alhaji market, five large tubers of yam now sell for between N12,000 and N14,000. At Karu market, the price of corn and millet has jumped from N850 and N900 per mudu to N1,300. A bag of corn, previously N40,000, now costs N90,000, while a bag of millet has surged from N65,000 to N90,000.
Mallam Bashiru Ahmed, a trader at Karu market, attributed the price hikes to fluctuating costs and high transportation expenses from northern states. “Prices can increase by 20% or more within a week. Transportation costs significantly impact food prices, and we must raise our prices to cover these expenses,” he said. “This results in customer complaints and reduced patronage.”
Ahmed urged the government to implement measures to reduce transportation costs and regulate market prices for grains, which would help prevent unjustified price increases by distributors and sellers.