Christmas: Low-key preparations in Nigeria as chicken costs N25,000, turkey N130,000
With the festive season fast approaching, many Nigerian families are toning down their Christmas and New Year celebrations due to the sharp rise in food prices.
Essential festive items like chickens and turkeys have seen significant price hikes, making it challenging for citizens to celebrate the holidays amid ongoing economic difficulties.
In major markets across the country, the price of a chicken now ranges between N15,000 and N25,000, while turkeys are being sold for as high as N130,000 in certain locations.
Traders have attributed the surge to higher transportation costs, increased prices of poultry feed, and disruptions in supply chains.
In Abuja’s Utako and Wuse markets, locally raised turkeys are priced between N85,000 and N130,000, whereas “agric” turkeys are sold for N110,000 to N140,000. In Plateau State, chickens cost between N8,000 and N25,000, while turkeys range from N70,000 to N110,000. Despite the festive season, vendors report low patronage.
Prices of other essentials have also soared. A five-liter gallon of groundnut oil now costs up to N18,000, with sellers blaming the increase on high groundnut prices. Popular cooking oil brands such as King and Golden Terra are being sold for N100,000 and N95,000, respectively, for 25kg bottles in Lagos markets.
Even the cattle market has not been spared, as cows are priced between N700,000 and N1.5 million depending on their size. According to Malam Rabiu Muhammad, Chairman of the Cattle Market in Jos, these high prices are significantly affecting sales.
For many civil servants and middle-income earners, the rising cost of living has made extravagant celebrations nearly impossible.
“What should be a joyous time has become a season of worry for families like mine,” said Olije Edward, a government worker in Benue State.
However, some Nigerians are finding solace in the little things. Ebitare, a civil servant from Bayelsa State, expressed gratitude for life despite the economic strain, saying, “The most important thing is that God has preserved us to see another Christmas.”
As the festivities approach, families are adopting simpler ways to celebrate, prioritizing gratitude and resilience over material extravagance.
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