The upcoming Ramadan in Nigeria coincides with the country’s severe economic crisis, exacerbating food insecurity for many. With food inflation soaring at approximately 35 percent, worshippers in Lagos express struggles to provide for their families, some even beginning fasting early due to financial constraints.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and currency controls, aimed at attracting foreign investment, have instead tripled petrol prices and caused living costs to soar as the naira depreciates against the dollar.
The impact is felt deeply among the populace, with many forced to forgo meals and essential items like meat, eggs, and milk. In Lagos’ central mosque, worshippers lament the inability to afford traditional Ramadan foods.
Traders at local markets also face hardship, witnessing a decline in consumer spending. Incense-seller Azeez Shelifiu shares how his income has plummeted by a third in just six months.
The economic crisis has led to social unrest, as seen in recent incidents of food store looting in Abuja. Imam Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla emphasizes the importance of solidarity during Ramadan, announcing plans to distribute food at the mosque to support those in need.
He warns that the economic downturn is fueling other societal issues, such as kidnappings for ransom, exemplified by the recent mass abduction of school pupils in Kaduna. With over 63 percent of Nigeria’s population living in extreme poverty, the need for collective support and solutions to address the underlying economic challenges remains critical.
