Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory have continued to groan over the economic hardship presently being experienced in the country, with high transportation and food costs taking a severe toll on household incomes and forcing families to adopt drastic survival strategies. In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, residents described how the removal of fuel subsidy, currency devaluation, and persistent inflationary pressures have made it increasingly difficult to meet basic needs such as food, rent, school fees, and healthcare.
Mrs Grace Okoro, a civil servant, lamented that her monthly salary is no longer sufficient to cover basic necessities, and that she and her family can no longer afford three square meals daily. Mr Abel Akpan, another civil servant, said the removal of fuel subsidy had made the situation “unbearable,” noting that many public servants are now heavily indebted, with salaries often committed to loan repayments before they are even received. He warned that the overall economic conditions are leading to a loss of morale, high stress levels, and low performance within the public service sector, with implications for government service delivery.
Adigun Lateef, a taxi driver, captured the frustration of many informal sector workers who depend on daily earnings for survival. “E no easy for us as taxi drivers o, because we dey spend money on fuel, instead of food,” he said, adding that many drivers are breadwinners and the reduction in income has led to increased stress and anxiety. He called on the Federal Government to establish support programmes for taxi drivers, including financial assistance and access to affordable alternative fuels like Compressed Natural Gas.
Celestino Odo, Head of Programme and Policy at ActionAid Nigeria, described the economic strain as “widespread misery” that is largely man-made, attributing it to a series of policy decisions including fuel subsidy removal, currency devaluation, and high interest rates. He argued that while subsidy reforms may be necessary, their abrupt implementation without a structured transition plan has worsened economic conditions for vulnerable populations. Odo noted that in many developed economies, including the European Union and the United States, subsidies remain integral to supporting critical sectors such as agriculture and social welfare. He also criticised low budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector, which employs a significant portion of Nigeria’s population and remains critical to food security.
ActionAid official further identified insecurity as a major driver of poverty, noting that the displacement of farmers and rural communities has disrupted agricultural production and worsened food shortages. He called for urgent action to restore security and enable citizens to return to farming activities, while urging policymakers to realign their strategies to alleviate suffering and rebuild public trust. The observations from FCT residents highlight a deepening disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and household welfare, as inflation remains elevated at 15.38 per cent and purchasing power continues to erode.
