Christmas: Nigerians debate alternatives as rice goes out of reach
By Uzoma Chukwudi
With some six weeks to Christmas, a 50kg bag of local parboiled rice is selling for N105,000, far above the minimum wage of an average Nigerian many of whom are yet to start earning the N70,000 new wage.
The increase in the price of a bag of rice is partly because of Christmas and majorly because of the weakened Naira that currently exchanges around N1,700 to a dollar.
Rice is not only the Christmas delicacy that may be missing from the menu of many families this Christmas. Chicken, turkey, and eggs may also be hard to come by for many.
A kilo of Chicken is N7,000, a kilo of turkey is N8,500 and a crate of eggs is selling for N7,000.
Rice and proteins are used on various occasions aside from Christmas. Nigerians generally love to eat rice with proteins.
There are still fears about the price of rice increasing if the exchange rate refuses to improve. Rice is mostly imported.
Netizens speak on how they would cope without rice with some proteins this Christmas.
An X user @ t_erharuyi said: “From my point of view, people will start looking for an alternative since they can’t afford these things. For example, yam and vegetable stew with fish (Panla) which is cheap and more affordable. The goal is to get something to eat.”
Another user @adesolaaaaa added: “I feel like some families will have to forgo it altogether which is sad because things like this shouldn’t be a luxury. Some people share foodstuff during Christmas though so some might be lucky others, not so much.”
@DdMrgoo also said: “Some families won’t be able to afford chicken, they might be able to afford egg. The goal is to try to get something that is affordable and try to use it for Christmas. Some people are saving up now for that day. Another affordable way of cooking rice is making Concoction jollof rice which a family can use at a stretch. Instead of them buying Chicken they can buy eggs and it will be a good meal for everybody.”
User @heyblaqh said: “Christmas season should be planned at the beginning of the year. As it helps in preparing for the changing prices of food items. My sister saves yearly for December in order for it to be a great time for our family. She saves with their cooperative, which allows them to use the funds for Christmas. As she takes out the money for Christmas after saving annually she buys food items like crayfish, rice, frozen chicken and yam. They share the savings on Christmas, ensuring they can afford the items for the coming year, as today’s prices are not tomorrow’s.”
@prettygirl_tima added: “I think families are still going to get it regardless of the fact that’s not affordable, some of them will borrow money to celebrate or maybe use most of their savings considering the festive season.”
@Dele_Nonso1668 also said: “I think many families save up before Christmas time so that when it’s Christmas they can enjoy it well. For example, the Igbos, I believe they save up a lot probably from the beginning of the year so that when it’s time to travel their transport plus feeding for the family and all other expenses will be secured. I also think that sometimes some families have set up automatic payments such that immediately money enters their account, part of the money goes to maybe who the sellers who they regularly buy bulk items from. I’ve heard of these stories of people who do these things I mentioned that’s why I can say it.”
@justcallme_bubu added: “So my mom said we will have Ogbono soup for Christmas. She will put plenty water in the Ogbono with pepper and N1,000 meat. By the time you eat one small mold of garri and drink water, you will be full before you eat the meat and lick the soup. That’s carryover for her.”
With the responses of Nigerians, it is very clear they are planning for the festive season and saving way ahead to avoid not enjoying the holidays.
