Latest – Page 28 – National Daily Newspaper

Court rejects former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello’s bid to halt N110bn fraud trial

Court rejects former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello’s bid to halt N110bn fraud trial

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has dismissed an application by the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, seeking to throw out the...

Crime3 weeks ago

Tensions rise over Nigeria’s dual approach as 500 terror suspects face trial, 720 rejoin society

Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy is under renewed scrutiny as the Federal Government intensifies mass prosecution of terrorism suspects in Abuja while state authorities in the North-East continue...

Bandits abduct traditional ruler in Ondo as attacks on monarchs intensify across Nigeria

Crime3 weeks ago

Bandits abduct traditional ruler in Ondo as attacks on monarchs intensify across Nigeria

Concern is mounting across Nigeria following a renewed wave of attacks targeting traditional rulers, as armed bandits increasingly abduct monarchs and community leaders in what security...

How Phone Snatching and Street Crime Evolved Into Organised Urban Syndicates in Nigeria

Crime3 weeks ago

How phone theft, street crime evolved into organized urban syndicates in Nigeria

Urban crime across Nigeria’s major cities is undergoing a structural shift, with what were once considered isolated street-level offences now evolving into coordinated, tech-enabled criminal enterprises...

## “Invisible Inflation” Widens Cost-of-Living Gap as Nigerian Households Struggle With Rising Essentials **Lagos, NIGERIA** — While official inflation data continues to reflect a moderated national average, many Nigerian households are facing a sharply different reality, as the cost of essential goods and services continues to rise faster than headline economic indicators suggest. Economists and market analysts describe the trend as “invisible inflation,” a widening gap between official consumer price index figures and the actual expenses Nigerians incur to meet daily survival needs such as food, transport, housing, school fees, and energy. --- ### Rising Costs of Essentials Outpace Official Averages Although Nigeria’s inflation basket includes a broad mix of goods and services, critics argue that it masks the intensity of price increases in essential categories that households cannot easily avoid or substitute. Food staples such as rice, beans, and garri have recorded persistent price increases, driven by higher transportation costs, insecurity in farming regions, and rising input costs like fertilizer. At the same time, transport fares in major cities have surged following fuel price adjustments, placing additional strain on daily commuters. Fixed household expenses have also come under pressure. Rent renewals in urban areas are increasingly reflecting higher construction and maintenance costs, while many private schools have adjusted tuition and transportation fees to cope with rising operational expenses. Electricity costs, particularly for higher service bands, have further pushed households toward alternative energy sources such as generators and solar systems. --- ### Household Spending Pressure Reshapes Daily Life The growing cost burden is forcing families to adjust consumption patterns and long-term financial decisions. Many households are cutting back on protein consumption, shifting to cheaper food alternatives, and reducing discretionary spending such as entertainment and social activities. In urban centres like Lagos, some residents now rely more heavily on public transportation or walking shorter distances to reduce daily expenses. Educational costs have also become a major pressure point, with some parents moving children from higher-fee private institutions to more affordable schools, while others delay academic progression due to financial constraints. --- ### Changing Coping Strategies Across Communities Informal economic coping mechanisms are becoming more common. Cooperative buying groups have expanded in several neighbourhoods, allowing families to pool resources and purchase food items in bulk directly from wholesalers or farm intermediaries. This approach is increasingly seen as a way to bypass retail markups and stabilize household food budgets. A Lagos-based civil servant, Funmi Adebayo, described the situation as a complete restructuring of household budgeting. She noted that families are prioritizing only essential needs, reducing consumption habits, and relying more on cost-saving alternatives as incomes fail to keep pace with rising prices. --- ### Concerns Over Policy Blind Spots Macroeconomic experts warn that reliance on headline inflation figures alone may understate the real pressure facing households, particularly in low- and middle-income segments. They argue that if wage policies and social intervention programs are based solely on aggregated data, they risk falling short of addressing the true cost burden experienced on the ground. Analysts say stabilizing food supply chains and transportation logistics remains critical to easing pressure on households, especially as these sectors continue to drive much of the day-to-day inflation experienced by citizens. --- ### Watch Report An accompanying video report examines how rising living costs are reshaping consumption patterns and forcing households across Nigeria to make difficult financial trade-offs in response to ongoing economic pressures.

Business3 weeks ago

Beyond official figures: Nigerians feel the bite of “Invisible Inflation”

While official inflation data continues to reflect a moderated national average, many Nigerian households are facing a sharply different reality, as the cost of essential goods...

Osimhen, Nwabali, Chukwueze Lead Nigerian Stars in Crucial Summer Transfer Window Decisions

Football3 weeks ago

Transfer drama builds as Osimhen, Nwabali, Chukwueze weigh next career steps

The 2026 summer transfer window officially opened on Monday, ushering in a busy period of player movements across Europe, with several Nigerian footballers already...

Teenager’s escape exposes alleged network targeting vulnerable girls in Lagos

Crime3 weeks ago

Teenager’s escape exposes alleged network targeting vulnerable girls in Lagos

A harrowing tale of human trafficking, torture, and forced prostitution has emerged from the heart of Lagos Island, after a 16-year-old girl escaped a notorious...

Days after General’s death in captivity, troops free wife from bandits’ den

Crime3 weeks ago

Days after General’s death in captivity, troops free wife from bandits’ den

The Nigerian military has rescued the widow of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar from bandits’ captivity in Katsina State, days after the retired...

Crime3 weeks ago

Police discover shallow grave as Anambraan confesses to girlfriend’s killing

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Ifechukwu Okechukwu in connection with the alleged killing of his 23-year-old girlfriend, whose remains...

Nigeria slips to bottom of global quality of life rankings amid rising inflation

Latest3 weeks ago

Nigeria slips to bottom of global quality of life rankings amid rising inflation

Nigeria’s worsening inflation crisis has pushed the country to the bottom of global quality-of-life rankings, highlighting the growing economic hardship facing millions of households...