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Economic Hardship: Nigerians Resorting to Extreme Measures for Survival

Published

2 years ago

September 14, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

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Amidst the worsening economic crisis in Nigeria, fueled by soaring prices of fuel and inflation, citizens have been forced to adopt unconventional survival strategies, including the consumption of animal feed in some cases. As daily necessities become more expensive, many are turning to desperate measures just to make ends meet.

In Plateau State, women in Jos have resorted to feeding their families with maize chaff, locally known as ‘dusa’, typically reserved for animal consumption. Mrs. Gladys Tonggang, a concerned resident, expressed shock upon hearing about a pregnant mother of four using ‘dusa’ to feed her children after grinding it into a meal. With increasing demand, the price of this animal feed has reportedly risen by N500.

The effects of this economic downturn extend beyond food choices. A mechanic, Mr. Monday Adetola, shared that his customer base has significantly dwindled as fewer people can afford to drive their cars, leading to a reduction in vehicle maintenance needs. Similarly, a tailor named Murtala Musa has had to close his shop and switch to selling noodles and eggs due to the lack of customers.

In Ekiti State, a civil servant, Mr. Deji Ilori, disclosed that his family is skipping meals and relying on less nutritious food options as the cost of living skyrockets. With fuel prices reaching N1,000 per liter, he has abandoned his car and turned to public transportation, drastically altering his daily routine and diet. Other residents, like Uwamba Favour, a small business owner, are facing mounting expenses and dwindling profits, forcing them to sell products at cost price just to avoid further losses.

In Osun State, some women in Osogbo have resorted to street begging to feed their families. Taiwo, a mother of two, narrated how her husband’s struggles as a driver have left them dependent on neighbors for basic food supplies. Similarly, Usman Faruk, a student at Obafemi Awolowo University, has been working as a laborer to sustain himself, though even this is not enough to cover his food expenses.

Public transportation has also become a preferred option for many in Akwa Ibom State, where civil servants and private individuals alike are parking their vehicles due to the prohibitive cost of fuel. Estate surveyor, Madam Chinyere Ndon, now restricts her movements to essential trips, while tricycle operator Mr. Odudu Umoh laments the low profitability of his business due to the high cost of fuel and low passenger turnout.

In Cross River State, many residents have turned to urban farming to combat the rising cost of food. Even civil servants are using any available land to grow crops such as cassava, vegetables, and yams, while some, like Mr. Genesis, have transformed their homes into small farms to sustain themselves. Others are selling off personal items to cope with the harsh realities.

Meanwhile, in Ogun State, residents like Mr. Bolade Adeniyi, a taxi driver, have adapted by working only during peak hours, supplementing their income with backyard farming. Civil servants like Mr. Olorode Akinlabi have even turned their personal vehicles into commercial ones, ferrying passengers after work to meet financial obligations.

Kaduna State residents are also feeling the brunt of the crisis, with some families eating only once a day. In rural areas, people are relying on the goodwill of neighbors or resorting to wild plants for food. In Benue, citizens have stopped making non-essential trips due to high transportation costs, and many are growing their own food to survive.

Across Nigeria, the economic hardships have led to various survival strategies, from farming in urban spaces to selling off possessions. However, the common cry from citizens is for government intervention to ease the burden through fuel price adjustments and support for those struggling to provide for their families. Without such measures, the nation’s most vulnerable may continue to endure unimaginable hardship.

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FCTA to secure fulfilling, rewarding post-service life for retiring workers

Published

3 minutes ago

September 22, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission (FCT-CSC), in partnership with the Office of the Head of Service, FCT Administration (FCTA) has taken steps to ensure public servants transition into a prosperous and purposeful post-service life.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, at the opening of a pre-retirement workshop for retiring civil servants with the theme “How to Triumph In Retirement”.

Ezeh urged the retiring members of staff to develop concrete strategies that would turn their post-service years into a productive, financially secure and deeply rewarding chapter.

He described the seminar as the very first collaborative initiative between the commission and the Head of Service’s office, underscoring a joint resolve to protect the post-service welfare of senior citizens.

He noted that after dedicating 35 to 40 years of active service or reaching the mandatory age of 60 to 65 years, officers often face anxiety regarding the future, making proactive guidance essential for a rewarding transition.

The chairman said that the seminar directly aligns with Section 7c(ii) of the Commission’s Establishment Act, which mandates the body to advise the FCT Minister on employee conditions.

According to him, a well-motivated workforce remains the bedrock of public sector productivity.

Reflecting on recent structural transformations, Ezeh said that the FCT Civil Service has embraced disruptive innovations designed to enforce strict merit, transparency and administrative discipline across all cadre levels.

Among these landmark reforms, Ezeh highlighted the comprehensive staff verification exercise, which successfully harmonised personnel data across the entire FCTA into a single, secure and coherent central database under the commission’s oversight.

“Furthermore, the commission successfully cleared a long-standing backlog of promotion exercises spanning 2023, 2024, and 2025, restoring professional morale and resolving key career progression bottlenecks for thousands of workers.

“The integration of Computer-Based Testing for promotion examinations is also a major leap forward, ensuring the swift release of results, eliminating sharp practices, and instilling transparency in career advancements,” he said.

Ezeh also announced the rollout of official FCT-CSC Guidelines on appointment, promotion and discipline, alongside two published Annual Reports, with a Standard Operating Procedure for conversion, upgrading, advancement and skipping nearing completion.

Attributing these institutional successes to the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu and the visionary leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Ezeh praised FCTA for opening unprecedented career pathways.

He explained that the pathways allow FCT workers to rise to the ranks of Permanent Secretary and Head of Service.

He thanked Wike and the acting Head of Service, Mrs Nancy Nathan, for their collaborative support, stressing that the pre-retirement training initiative would become a sustained annual event.

In her remarks, Nathan commended the retiring officers for their unwavering dedication, loyalty, and invaluable contributions to the growth and governance of the FCT.

She reassured the retirees that while their names may eventually leave the active government payroll, their developmental blueprints, institutional wisdom, and years of hard work would remain permanently embedded in the territory’s progress.

She emphasised that retirement should never be viewed as an end to personal relevance, but rather as a strategic repositioning to deploy decades of accrued wisdom toward mentorship, community development, and entrepreneurial ventures.

“To ensure holistic readiness, the training programme was structured around critical pillars, including strategic financial management of terminal benefits, sound investment choices, physical and mental health maintenance, and impactful community engagement,” she said.

Nathan urged the retiring public servants to embrace purposeful living, noting that true triumph in post-service life occurs when contribution replaces compensation and personal fulfillment replaces daily routine.

Addressing administrative concerns, the acting head of service gave firm assurances that the FCTA is actively collaborating with relevant agencies to streamline processes and guarantee the prompt payment of retirement entitlements.

“The seminar is designed to offer participants actionable frameworks to manage lifestyle changes, mitigate financial risks, and maintain strong social connection networks,” she added.

Some of the participants expressed immense gratitude for the timely workshop, noting that the actionable strategies provided would significantly alleviate post-service anxiety and build firm confidence for a fulfilling future.

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Watch moment FCT minister Wike campaigns for Tinubu, Aduda

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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…Vote Tinubu for President
Vote Aduda for Senate

Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike has started campaigning for President Bola TInubu and Phillip Aduda in Abuja.

Watch the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, telling the people of Tungan Shanu village during the inspection of the ongoing construction of the road linking Tungan Madaki with Zuba Road today to vote President TInubu and Aduda for Senate.

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Court Directs INEC to Recognise NDC’s Two-Finger Logo

Published

3 hours ago

September 22, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) will soon be inaugurated as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., on September 21, 2026.

According to the statement, the NDC is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders to develop and inaugurate what it described as a robust Presidential Campaign Council.

The party said its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had held several meetings with the National Leader and leadership of the party as part of the process.

The NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had been given the opportunity to nominate key officials of the campaign council in consultation with the party.

Those positions include the Director-General of the Campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), Campaign Spokesman, Deputy Spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other positions.

The party said the arrangement was designed to promote inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign structure.

It added that a full organogram of the campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from other stakeholders across the country.

The NDC said it would announce and inaugurate the PCC after receiving the inputs of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

It also disclosed that a campaign timetable had been proposed since August, with arrangements for campaign funding and fundraising still being concluded.

According to the party, funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate alongside the party’s National Treasurer.

The party said the PCC inauguration, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed because of the travel schedule of the presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, the NDC has directed its state and Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen to commence the compilation and harmonisation of party agents ahead of the 2027 elections.

The directive, according to the party, is in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, and requires state and LGA chairmen to meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders to produce comprehensive lists of agents.

The agents will be divided into two categories: those for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.

The party said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by its leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training commences.

The exercise is expected to be completed and the final lists submitted within two weeks of the directive.

The committee responsible for the appointment of party agents is chaired by the NDC Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli. Vin Martin Ilo serves as secretary, while Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones are members.

The party also appealed to its candidates at all levels to discourage supporters and support groups from engaging in internal battles, urging them instead to concentrate on winning the elections.

“There are no battles to fight within the NDC,” the party stated, identifying the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its common opponent.

The NDC said it remained committed to supporting its candidates and urged them to focus on winning elections, stressing that its candidates were contesting under the party and not as independent candidates.

The party expressed its desire for all its candidates to win their respective elections and called on members and supporters to remain focused on the 2027 electoral contest.