Name: High living costs upset Christmas celebrations in Nigeria
Uploaded: 2025-12-23T17:14:20.108Z
Duration: 3 min 56 s
Description: Normally, Nigerians celebrate Christmas with a rich blend of faith, family, food, travel, and vibrant cultural traditions, creating one of the most festive seasons in the country. But things are not normal, right now.

Normally, Nigerians celebrate Christmas with a rich blend of faith, family, food, travel, and vibrant cultural traditions, creating one of the most festive seasons in the country. But things are not normal, right now.

Abuja

In Nigeria, escalating living costs and inflation have significantly impacted how families celebrate Christmas. Many, like Rebecca Samuel Yaga and her children in Abuja, are forgoing travel and expensive festivities, instead finding joy in modest home decorations and shared moments.

Market activity has slowed, with residents purchasing fewer goods due to persistent high food prices, despite official reports of easing inflation. Travel has also declined as fuel prices, insecurity, and rising transport fares deter movement, prompting calls from analysts for government welfare support. Amid these challenges, families are gathering in local parks, cherishing togetherness and hoping for improved conditions in the future.

High living costs upset Christmas celebrations in Nigeria

Rebecca Samuel Yaga, a single mother of six who lives on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria's capital, is decorating her one-bedroom home with her children in their own simple way. With no expensive ornaments or bright lights, rising living costs have reshaped how her family celebrates Christmas. We're just managing because the cost of living is high and we can't afford to travel to our hometown for the holiday. So we're decorating in our own little way to fill the Christmas joy, even with little money, together as a family. At this market in Abuja, the usual Christmas rush is missing. People are buying far less than before. And while Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics says inflation eased to 14.45% in November, many here say basic food items remain high, making festive shopping almost impossible. The cost of food items is drilling holes in my pocket. And it doesn't look like it's coming down anytime soon. The egg that I bought last week, 5 eggs, is now 6,300. And the rice was 60-something thousand a bag. Now it's 70-something thousand, and I believe by next week it's going to still increase. Travel plans have also changed. High fuel prices, insecurity on major highways, and a rising air transport cost means fewer Nigerians are heading home for the holiday. At this terminal, drivers here say business is slow even after increasing fares. We charge N12,000 from Abuja to Kano because of fuel costs, and we don't really get surveillance. I have only three passengers so far, and we've been waiting since morning. For those who still choose to travel, fear is now part of the journey. Transportation fare is really expensive, but I have to travel to see my family so they won't feel my absence during this holiday. I'm also scared because of the insecurity. Economic analysts call for targeted government support. Everybody is celebrating year-end. They are not celebrating Christmas. So demand around this time is really very high, which means prices will go up. And then those that are unable to afford those, you know, during regular season, you know, we find it even extremely difficult to afford it during the festive season. And so the government should look into, you know, some sort of welfare package for those that are, you know, less privileged. Here at the Millennium Park in Abuja, the mood is lighter. Families who couldn't afford to travel are finding comfort in simple pleasures. They spread mats, share home-cooked meals, and dance together. In the middle of the challenges, these moments of laughter and togetherness are putting smiles on faces and keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. The roads are not favourable for you to travel by road. Then talking of the aircrafts, getting to my place, it's about 500,000 just going. Like my family, we have four. She planned about some millions to travel. So for that reason, we've decided to enjoy Christmas here. And as the government works to curb inflation and address insecurity, families like Rebecca's are holding on to small but precious moments, their children's laughter and dance, hoping that better days lie ahead.

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