Families Adopt New Lifestyles As Hardship Bites Harder

The recent fuel price hike by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its multiplier effects on the economy have forced most Nigerian families to adopt new lifestyles to cope with the hard times

The national oil corporation increased the pump price of petrol from N568 to N855 or N897 per litre, depending on the location, on September 3, 2024.

To cope with the development and other challenges confronting the populace, LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that some parents have withdrawn their children from long-distance schools because of high transport fares while others have removed their wards from schools and registered them with artisans to acquire trade skills.

In interviews with our correspondents nationwide, parents said their priority is feeding their families before anything else.

In Delta State, with the rising cost of living continues to pressure households, individuals are increasingly cutting spending to survive the difficult times amid dwindling incomes and surging prices.

Many people can no longer cope because they survive on their static monthly earnings, but the price of food is on a bullish run.

Some Delta residents shared their experiences of coping with difficult times and what they are doing differently. They agreed that living in Nigeria isn’t about luxury right now; it’s about survival.

Great Udukpa, a primary school teacher, said the rise in the price of food is a disaster for his family.

“For me, the cost of food has made me go for what is healthy. I now forbid snacks, other luxury foods, and beer drinking. I have adjusted to drinking more water and taking a few fruits. In fact, a beer joint close to my office has closed for business owing to low patronage.

“I have forgone some basic comfort like data, cosmetics, air conditioner (AC) both in the car and at home because paying for units at home is becoming more difficult and the price of fuel has shot up against a stagnant salary structure. Now I only look towards spending on food. I have stopped eating out in restaurants; I now ensure I prepare all my meals,” he said

Similarly, Mike Uche, a hair stylist, concurred that his eating routine has changed. He said the static income of workers and the increase in food prices have had a negative effect on customers. He revealed that he now skips meals to conserve money.

“Before the rapid price increase, I usually ate three square meals. However, it has changed due to the cost of foodstuff. The rate at which I buy bags of beans and rice has reduced drastically from the previous years.now stays with his friend near the campus and comes home twice or thrice a week as transportation costs are biting harder.

Mallam Sani Abdullahi, a civil servant and father of four, told our correspondent that his dilemma is sorting out his children’s school fees as students return to school.

He said, “With the current high cost of living, maintaining three children in private school is a herculean task.

“The hard truth is that, with my meagre earnings, I will not be able to meet their private school needs and, the only alternative is to withdraw them to public schools and send them to Qur’anic classes.

“I am eagerly waiting for the implementation of the new minimum wage. Maybe it will cushion the biting effect of inflation that now ravaged the land,” Sani said.

In Oyo State, residents have continued to lament the economic hardship, as some can barely afford the three square meals daily.

A cross-section of the residents who spoke with our correspondent said since the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, they have been living in abject poverty.

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