ABUJA — A heartbreaking video of a young Nigerian lady lamenting the astronomical cost of basic food items has gone viral, capturing the raw frustration of a nation grappling with record-high inflation.
In the clip, the lady displays a small bag of groceries, detailing her spending: “I bought this groundnut oil ₦1,000, Onions is ₦500—just 3 pieces—this pepper is ₦1,000, making ₦2,500. Where are we going to? We are dying oo.” The video has surfaced amidst a backdrop of escalating food prices, where even basic ingredients for a single meal have become a luxury for millions.
A Nation Under Economic Siege
The lady’s outcry mirrors the sentiments of Pastor Folu Adeboye (wife of Enoch Adeboye), who recently warned the government that “there is too much suffering” and that the church itself is feeling the weight of the national struggle.
- Food Inflation: The cost of staple items like onions, pepper, and cooking oil has surged by over 150% in the last year, driven by currency devaluation and the removal of fuel subsidies.
- Security & Scarcity: Market analysts point to the ongoing bloodshed in farming hubs like Katsina and Kwara as a primary reason for the scarcity. With farmers unable to access their lands due to Fulani banditry, food supply chains have effectively collapsed.
Political Disconnect: The 2027 Debate
The video has intensified criticisms against the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who recently described voting for the President in 2027 as a “patriotic national assignment”.
Opposition figures and civil society groups have used the “₦2,500 pepper and onions” video to argue that the administration is “out of touch” with the reality of the streets. “While they talk about 2027, the common man is talking about 2026 survival,” one commentator noted on X.
Mobilisation for Protest
As the “We are dying” video continues to gain traction, it is fueling momentum for the nationwide hunger protests scheduled for February. Despite the Presidency’s “Renewed Hope” projects, the immediate reality for young Nigerians is a choice between buying food or going hungry.
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