‘Oga Akowe, How People Go Do Christmas This Year?’

BY ISAAC ASABOR*

The aroma of pepper soup and freshly prepared rice filled the air at a small food stall at Ogba in Ikeja, Lagos. It was a typical afternoon, the sun casting its golden hues on the bustling streets. I stopped by Mama’s shop as I often do, though never to eat on the premises but to take my meal away. She greeted me with her usual, affectionate salutation: “Oga Akowe!” Her voice carried a warmth that brightened my day each time. This time, however, her usual cheer was tinged with concern as she posed a question that has stayed with me:

Her words were simple, yet they resonated with a depth that mirrored the anxiety etched into the faces of many Nigerians. Christmas, a season traditionally marked by joy, family gatherings, and festive meals, is now shrouded in uncertainty and apprehension.

Nigeria’s economy is in a precarious state. Inflation has driven up the cost of living to unimaginable heights, leaving many families struggling to afford even necessities. Essential commodities like rice, vegetable oil, chicken, and tomatoes, staples of a typical Nigerian Christmas feast, have become luxury items. The prices of decorations, clothes, and transportation for those intending to travel to their hometowns for the holidays have also skyrocketed.

Consider this: A 50kg bag of rice, relatively once affordable before President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, has significantly increased in price, reflecting broader economic challenges. For instance, the price of a 50kg bag of rice, which was around ₦20,000 in early 2023, surged to over ₦70,000 by mid-2024. Similarly, the average price for 1kg of loose local rice rose from ₦737.11 in August 2023 to ₦1,831.05 in August 2024, a 148.41% year-on-year increase. At the moment, rice has become unaffordable in many homes as the prices of some brands have gone beyond N100,000.00.

For many households surviving on minimum wage or irregular incomes, this price spike represents more than a strain, it is a harsh reality that forces them to make painful choices between eating, celebrating, or simply surviving.

I returned to Mama’s shop a few days later, this time not just as a customer but as a journalist seeking to capture the voices behind the rising anxiety. As I sat with her, other customers shared their thoughts.

Iya Monsurat, a mother of five who sells fruits nearby, lamented, “I nor even know how we go do am this year. My children dey always chop Christmas rice and chicken, but this year, e be like say na garri we go chop. Even garri don cost!”

A young man named Seun, a mechanic, added his voice: “Christmas no go sweet like before. Before, we buy new clothes for pikin dem and still get money for jollof rice. Now, even to buy petrol for generator na wahala.”

From market women to artisans, the consensus was clear: This Christmas would be unlike any other. The festive season, once a time of shared abundance, now threatens to deepen the economic divide, leaving many unable to partake in the traditions they hold dear.

Beyond the tangible challenges of affording Christmas essentials, there is an emotional and psychological toll on families. Many parents feel the weight of unmet expectations as their children look to them for the joy and magic of Christmas. The stress of navigating financial constraints, compounded by the constant rise in prices, is causing widespread anxiety.

Mama shared her perspective: “Christmas no be only food. Na happiness we dey find. But how person go happy when nothing dey pocket? Even customers wey dey buy my food before don reduce because dem no get money.”

Her words reflect the broader sentiment of disillusionment. The season’s hallmark joy has been overshadowed by the realities of economic hardship.

As Nigerians brace for the holidays, questions about the government’s role in alleviating the economic burden abound. In previous administrations, measures such as palliative distributions or subsidies on essential goods were sometimes implemented to ease the burden during festive seasons.

However, this year, many Nigerians feel abandoned. The much-publicized economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies, have exacerbated the cost of living. While the government has promised various interventions, their impact has been slow to materialize.

A trader at Sunday Market, at Ogba, simply known as Mama Chika, expressed her frustration: “Dem dey talk say dem go share palliative, but na who don see am? Even if dem share, na how much e go reach? Dem nor dey feel wetin we dey feel.”

Despite the challenges, Nigerians are known for their resilience and ingenuity. Many families are finding creative ways to celebrate the season without breaking the bank. Some are choosing to forgo the traditional fanfare, opting instead for modest gatherings with close family. Others are exploring alternative, less expensive meals or reviving local traditions that don’t require significant financial investment.

Mama herself had a suggestion: “Even if rice no dey, we fit cook yam or even beans. Wetin matter na say family dey together.” Her sentiment underscores a universal truth: The spirit of Christmas lies not in material abundance but in togetherness, love, and hope.

Apart from the soaring prices of food and clothing, many families in Nigerian cities, particularly Lagos, are facing the harsh reality that they may not be able to travel to their country homes to celebrate the upcoming Christmas due to the exorbitant cost of transportation. With fuel prices hitting record highs and transport fares tripling, and even quadrupling in some cases, the festive tradition of reconnecting with loved ones in rural communities is slipping out of reach for many, casting a shadow over what should be a season of joy and togetherness.

Worse still, in trying times, such as this in the past when the economy was somewhat friendly, community solidarity offered a beacon of hope. Churches, mosques, and non-profit organizations used to step up efforts to support vulnerable families during the holiday season. Unfortunately, such lifelines seem not to be available any longer. Food banks and donation drives have ceased to become lifelines for many, widening the gap between despair and celebration.

A church leader in Ikeja, Pastor Adebayo, shared his perspective: “This is the time for us to give and show love to those in need. Christmas is about Christ, and Christ is love. If we can all give a little, we can make a big difference.”

As Mama packed my meal in her shop that day, her question lingered in my mind: “Oga Akowe, how people go do Christmas?” The answer lies in resilience, community, and an unwavering belief that better days are ahead. While this Christmas may not come with all the trimmings and indulgences of years past, it holds an opportunity for reflection and renewal.

For families across Nigeria, the challenge is to rediscover the true meaning of the season, a time for gratitude, connection, and hope amidst adversity. As I left Mama’s shop, her parting words stayed with me: “No matter wetin, we go dey alright. God dey.”

Indeed, God dey. And as Nigerians navigate these tough times, that faith, coupled with collective action, will carry us through, not just this Christmas, but beyond.