How are poor Nigerians feeding under the Tinubu government?

Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources, yet millions of its citizens are struggling to afford basic necessities, especially food. Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and changes in foreign exchange policy, have significantly affected the cost of living. While the government has defended these policies as necessary steps towards economic recovery, many ordinary Nigerians continue to face the difficult reality of rising food prices, expensive transportation, high rents and declining purchasing power.

The question that deserves urgent attention is: How are poor Nigerians feeding under the Tinubu government?

For an average Nigerian family living on a low income, feeding has become a daily struggle. Food items that were once affordable are now beyond the reach of many households. The prices of rice, beans, garri, yam, maize, cooking oil and other essential commodities have placed enormous pressure on family budgets. Parents who previously provided three meals a day for their children are increasingly forced to reduce portion sizes, skip meals or settle for cheaper foods with limited nutritional value.

The situation is particularly difficult for minimum-wage earners, petty traders, artisans, farmers, pensioners and unemployed youths. When a worker’s income remains almost unchanged while the prices of food and other necessities continue to rise, the value of that income diminishes. A salary that once supported a family for a month may now be exhausted within few weeks. For many poor Nigerians, the challenge is no longer about choosing their favourite meals but about finding anything affordable to put on the table.

The high cost of petroleum products has further worsened the situation. Since transportation and distribution depend heavily on petrol and diesel, increases in fuel prices affect the movement of agricultural produce from farms to markets. Farmers also face rising costs for transporting inputs, operating machinery and delivering their harvests. Traders pass many of these additional expenses on to consumers, making food more expensive in towns and cities. Consequently, ordinary citizens bear much of the burden.

Beyond food and transportation, Nigerians must also contend with rising electricity costs, house rents, school fees, health care expenses and other essential services.

These competing demands leave poor households with little money for adequate feeding. A parent who spends most of their income on rent and transportation may have very little left for food. In such circumstances, poverty becomes more than lack of money; it becomes a daily struggle to survive with dignity.

Another major concern is the apparent gap between government spending and everyday experiences of ordinary citizens. Nigerians have a right to ask whether public expenditure, budgetary allocations and economic reforms are translating into measurable improvements in their lives. Government budgets should not merely be impressive figures announced in official documents; they should produce visible results in food security, affordable health care, quality education, employment opportunities and essential infrastructure.

Although the government may argue that its reforms aim to strengthen public finances, reduce distortions and promote long-term economic growth, when will ordinary people see those benefits? Economic growth that does not improve household welfare will mean little to families struggling to afford their next meal. Equally, temporary relief programmes cannot provide a lasting solution if food prices continue to rise faster than people’s incomes.

The government must therefore take practical steps to address the hardship. These should include targeted support for vulnerable households, even though this approach has been bastardised; improved access to affordable agricultural inputs; better rural roads and food distribution systems; support for small businesses, and measures that help wages keep pace with the cost of living. Public spending must also be transparent, accountable and directed towards programmes with measurable benefits for citizens.

Strengthening local agricultural production is also essential. Farmers need security, affordable fertilisers, improved storage facilities, access to credit and reliable markets. Reducing post-harvest losses and improving transportation could help lower food cost while increasing farmers’ incomes. Such measures would address the causes of food insecurity rather than merely treating its symptoms.

Ultimately, the success of any government should be measured not only by economic statistics but also by the living conditions of its people. Can a parent feed their children adequately? Can a worker afford transportation to work and still provide dinner for the family? Can a pensioner buy food and medicine without depending entirely on relatives? These are the questions that reveal the human impact of economic policies.

In conclusion, how are poor Nigerians feeding under the Tinubu government? For many, the answer is that they are struggling, making painful sacrifices and surviving from day to day. The situation demands urgent, practical, and compassionate action. Nigerians need more than promises of future prosperity; they need policies that make food affordable, create decent jobs, protect vulnerable households and restore purchasing power.

A nation cannot achieve sustainable development when a significant proportion of its citizens are uncertain about their next meal. The ultimate measure of economic reforms must be its ability to improve people’s lives. Every Nigerian deserves the opportunity to eat adequately, live with dignity and look towards the future with hope.

Samuel wrote via [email protected].