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As Christmas approaches, rising inflation threatens to dim the festive cheer for many Nigerians grappling with economic hardships.
The cost of celebrating Christmas in Nigeria has soared over the years due to increasing prices and economic uncertainty. Many now have to spend significantly more on basic food items and gifts, while some struggle to maintain traditional celebrations as inflation erodes their purchasing power.
In recent years, Nigerians have been compelled to cut back on spending and forego certain traditions due to the high cost of living. For instance, some are no longer able to buy gifts for loved ones or donate to charity as they once did.
Despite these challenges, many Nigerians are finding creative ways to celebrate Christmas on a budget.
Homemade decorations and gifts are becoming popular, and some households now host potluck dinners instead of expensive feasts.
As the economic crunch deepens, Nigerians are prioritising experiences over material gifts, choosing to spend quality time with loved ones, watch Christmas films together, or enjoy simple outings.
However, even such efforts are tempered by the rising costs of essentials. The traditional Christmas feast, for instance, has become a luxury for many families. The prices of staples like rice, chicken, and cooking oil have more than doubled, making it difficult for some households to afford a decent meal.
Transportation costs have also skyrocketed, making travel to hometowns for family reunions nearly impossible for some. These missed reunions have added an emotional toll to the financial strain during the holiday season.
Parents are increasingly forgoing Christmas clothes and shoes for their children, while families that once indulged in lavish feasts now struggle to afford even the essentials.
Christmas in Nigeria is traditionally a celebration of faith, family, and feasting, often marked by the purchase of hens, turkeys, goats, or cows weeks in advance. Children look forward to seeing “Father Christmas” and receiving gifts and goody bags.
However, according to available data, the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages has risen by 92.73% in the past three years.
A bag of rice that cost less than N10,000 a few years ago now sells for over N100,000. The price of frozen chicken, a popular festive protein, has increased by 107%.
The National Bureau of Statistics reports that Nigeria’s headline inflation rate for November 2024 reached 34.60%, with food inflation rising to 39.93%. At major markets in Lagos, a cow now sells for between N1 million and N1.5 million, while chicken prices range from N13,000 to N15,000.
A 25kg keg of groundnut oil costs between N95,000 and N100,000.
Speaking with our correspondent, Lagos banker Wonuade Anota expressed concern over the steep rise in costs.
Wonuade said, “During the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the prices of food items were reasonable. After COVID-19, they remained somewhat stable until 2022. Now, the cost of celebrating Christmas has skyrocketed. A bag of rice costs over N100,000, and you need at least N250,000 to have a modest celebration.”
Similarly, a Lagos State civil servant, Mrs Adaora, noted, “Things are so expensive in the market. Even though the government promised to start paying the N80,000 minimum wage, it hasn’t been implemented. We will celebrate Christmas on a low budget this year, but the most important thing is that we are alive.”
Lagos trader Madam Blessing described the season as bittersweet: “What should be a time of joy has become a period of anxiety. Families are forced to stretch their limited resources, and it’s hard to celebrate properly when everything is this expensive.”
